From the French word meaning gold - "Peritot" is where the word Peridot originates. This is because in its natural state the green stone present in Peridot Earrings, Peridot Rings and Peridot Pendants for example, can show these colour hues.
The Birthstone for August is the peridot gemstone, and it's also used to celebrate all sorts of 16th anniversaries.
Peridot History
Just of the coast of Egypt in the Red Sea is an Island called St.Johns or Zabargad (was called Topazos), and at the time of around 1500BC was when on this island peridot was first thought to be found. Due to the locations old name peridot was first called Topaz Peridot right up until approximately the 18th century when it became known with the name it still holds today.
It was called the "Gem Of The Sun" by the Egyptians and is their national gemstone. Also known as "Evening Emerald" it is now thought that it was Cleopatras' favourite gemstone and that the emeralds she once was thought to have famously wore, were in fact peridot.
On the island of Topazos the local inhabitants were enslaved by the Egyptian Pharaohs so as they would spend all life long mining these gems for them. The Island was so well protected that nobody would dare land without fear of certain execution. These local miners used the stones "evening radiance" or "shine" to be able to pick peridot from the earth even at night!
The Christian Crusaders during the 11th and 12th centuries are believed to have returned home with amazingly large examples, gained from plundering mines from all over their travels. Some of these truly beautiful gems are now found in major museums such as the Tower of London and in the Vatican, but most have probably been cut down to fit in to jewellery through the centuries.
At the beginning of the 1900's superb examples of this gem re-appeared on the markets, again sourced from the Red Sea region. One large example (approx six by four inches) that was famously thought to be originally glass crystal reached an amazing price of 100 which was phenomenal in those days. Production reached its peak during the 19th century, before closing down for 20 years in 1930 due to war.
Excellent quality peridot was once mined in Burma, but just the same as with other gemstones found there, its trade has been damaged due to the political unrest. Although some stones do still come out they are usually not of the same previous quality and are passed through to Thailand in the network of "black market" trading.
Legends of Peridot
According to Ancient beliefs, the "New World" was supposed to be created annually, so Mother Nature gave gifts of peridot in celebration. Tribal leaders who to choose to wear peridot jewellery would be wise and fair!
Until around the start of the middle ages, it was commonly thought that gemstones made up the cosmos and that peridot was what the sun was made from.
According to legends the peridot held many magical powers, and if it was indeed also set in gold for jewellery it would keep nightmares away. The Romans even considered it stronger in its fight against this if worn on the right arm.
This gemstone has been thought to bring happiness and friendship, bring love and remove evil thoughts, as well as helping the eyesight. It protects the wearer from the "Evil Eye"!
To help in the healing process, the ancients actually drunk their medicines out of cups made from peridot. If a carving of an Ass was made into this gemstone, then the wearer would gain greater skills and be able to see into the future. If the carving was that of a vulture or totem pole, then the wearer would be saved from demons and be able to control natures wind!
Summary
Most, if not all of the following information has at some time been used by the jewellery trade to market the gemstones to various sections by tapping into peoples beliefs and interests, and hoping these aspects would tempt them to buy this gemstone. It often works!
I hope you have found my article on the peridot gemstone interesting and thank you for taking the time to read it.
The Birthstone for August is the peridot gemstone, and it's also used to celebrate all sorts of 16th anniversaries.
Peridot History
Just of the coast of Egypt in the Red Sea is an Island called St.Johns or Zabargad (was called Topazos), and at the time of around 1500BC was when on this island peridot was first thought to be found. Due to the locations old name peridot was first called Topaz Peridot right up until approximately the 18th century when it became known with the name it still holds today.
It was called the "Gem Of The Sun" by the Egyptians and is their national gemstone. Also known as "Evening Emerald" it is now thought that it was Cleopatras' favourite gemstone and that the emeralds she once was thought to have famously wore, were in fact peridot.
On the island of Topazos the local inhabitants were enslaved by the Egyptian Pharaohs so as they would spend all life long mining these gems for them. The Island was so well protected that nobody would dare land without fear of certain execution. These local miners used the stones "evening radiance" or "shine" to be able to pick peridot from the earth even at night!
The Christian Crusaders during the 11th and 12th centuries are believed to have returned home with amazingly large examples, gained from plundering mines from all over their travels. Some of these truly beautiful gems are now found in major museums such as the Tower of London and in the Vatican, but most have probably been cut down to fit in to jewellery through the centuries.
At the beginning of the 1900's superb examples of this gem re-appeared on the markets, again sourced from the Red Sea region. One large example (approx six by four inches) that was famously thought to be originally glass crystal reached an amazing price of 100 which was phenomenal in those days. Production reached its peak during the 19th century, before closing down for 20 years in 1930 due to war.
Excellent quality peridot was once mined in Burma, but just the same as with other gemstones found there, its trade has been damaged due to the political unrest. Although some stones do still come out they are usually not of the same previous quality and are passed through to Thailand in the network of "black market" trading.
Legends of Peridot
According to Ancient beliefs, the "New World" was supposed to be created annually, so Mother Nature gave gifts of peridot in celebration. Tribal leaders who to choose to wear peridot jewellery would be wise and fair!
Until around the start of the middle ages, it was commonly thought that gemstones made up the cosmos and that peridot was what the sun was made from.
According to legends the peridot held many magical powers, and if it was indeed also set in gold for jewellery it would keep nightmares away. The Romans even considered it stronger in its fight against this if worn on the right arm.
This gemstone has been thought to bring happiness and friendship, bring love and remove evil thoughts, as well as helping the eyesight. It protects the wearer from the "Evil Eye"!
To help in the healing process, the ancients actually drunk their medicines out of cups made from peridot. If a carving of an Ass was made into this gemstone, then the wearer would gain greater skills and be able to see into the future. If the carving was that of a vulture or totem pole, then the wearer would be saved from demons and be able to control natures wind!
Summary
Most, if not all of the following information has at some time been used by the jewellery trade to market the gemstones to various sections by tapping into peoples beliefs and interests, and hoping these aspects would tempt them to buy this gemstone. It often works!
I hope you have found my article on the peridot gemstone interesting and thank you for taking the time to read it.
About the Author:
If you want to view an excellent range of Stunning Peridot Jewellery, then I recommend you visit www.GlobeJewellery.co.uk for a great collection of Beautiful Peridot Rings, Peridot Earrings and Peridot Pendants, and all with lowest price promise. Enjoy!