Peridot Birthstone: August Meaning, Color & How to Wear It
Written by the AJLuxe team — specialists in personalized sterling silver jewelry. Last updated: July 2026.
- Color: Peridot only occurs in one color family — a bright olive-to-lime green caused by iron in its structure. There's no blue, pink, or colorless peridot.
- Hardness: Mohs 6.5–7 — fine for everyday pendants and earrings, but avoid sudden temperature shocks and ultrasonic cleaners.
- Price: A genuine faceted gemstone, typically $20–50 per carat in finished jewelry — accessible compared to sapphire, ruby, or emerald.
- Birthstone status: Peridot is the official modern birthstone for August, alongside spinel.
If you're shopping for an August birthday, peridot is the answer — a bright, unmistakable green gemstone with a history that stretches back to ancient Egypt. Here's what it actually is, why it earned birthstone status, how to say its name correctly, and how to shop for it honestly.
What Is Peridot?
Peridot is gem-quality olivine — a magnesium iron silicate that forms deep in the earth's mantle and occasionally arrives on the surface via volcanic activity or, in rare cases, meteorites. Unlike most gemstones, peridot comes in exactly one color family: a bright olive-to-lime green produced by iron within its crystal structure. There's no "blue peridot" or "pink peridot" — the color is the identity of the stone.
Why Is Peridot the August Birthstone?
Peridot has carried symbolic weight for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians called it the "gem of the sun" and are said to have mined it on the Red Sea island of Zabargad by torchlight, since its green glow was easier to spot in the dark than in direct sunlight. Some historians believe several of Cleopatra's famous "emeralds" were actually peridot. Its association with light, protection, and prosperity carried through Roman and medieval European jewelry before it was formally adopted as the modern August birthstone in the early 20th century, alongside spinel.
Part of what makes peridot unusual among birthstones is that some of it isn't even earthbound — trace amounts of peridot have been found in meteorites and identified in lunar and Martian rock samples, giving it a rare "from the sky" origin story that most gemstones don't have.
Peridot Color & Quality
Because peridot only occurs in one color family, quality comes down to the depth and clarity of that green rather than hue variation. The most prized stones show a vivid, saturated olive-to-lime green with strong clarity and minimal visible inclusions. Paler, more yellow-tinted stones are more common and more affordable. When shopping, look at the stone in natural daylight — peridot's color can look flatter under warm artificial light and brighter, more vivid outdoors.
How to Pronounce Peridot
Peridot is pronounced PAIR-ih-doh (rhymes with "meadow" without the "m," ending in a silent "t"). It's one of the most commonly mispronounced gemstone names — people often add a hard "t" sound at the end ("PAIR-ih-dot") or stress the wrong syllable. Both "PAIR-ih-doh" and the slightly more formal "PEHR-ih-doh" are accepted in English; the "t" stays silent either way, a holdover from the word's French origin.
Peridot Birthstone Meaning & Symbolism
As the August birthstone, peridot is traditionally associated with light, strength, and protection — themes tied back to its ancient "gem of the sun" reputation. In modern gifting, it's popular as a personalized birthday piece precisely because it's one of the few gemstones with a single, unmistakable color that reads clearly as "peridot" at a glance, making it easy to build a meaningful, recognizable gift around. Some crystal-healing traditions also associate peridot with calm and renewal, but that's folklore rather than established fact — worth knowing if a gift recipient asks, but not a reason to buy or avoid the stone either way.
How to Wear & Shop Peridot Birthstone Jewelry
Peridot's bright green reads best in simpler settings that let the color do the work — sterling silver and white metals tend to make the green look cooler and crisper, while yellow gold can warm it toward a more golden-olive tone. It pairs well with both casual and dressier outfits since the color itself carries visual interest without needing an elaborate setting.
At AJLuxe, peridot is currently available in necklace form: our Peridot Teardrop Pendant Necklace is a faceted peridot stone in a sterling silver setting, and the August Peridot Infinity Birthstone Necklace is built specifically as an August birthday gift, pairing the peridot stone with an infinity motif. We don't currently carry peridot rings, earrings, or bracelets — if you're looking for peridot in another jewelry type, a necklace is honestly the category to shop with us today.
Caring for Peridot Jewelry
Peridot sits at Mohs 6.5–7, which holds up fine for regular pendant and necklace wear but isn't as hard as sapphire or moissanite. Avoid sudden temperature swings — don't go straight from a hot shower into cold water while wearing it — and skip ultrasonic or steam cleaners, which can stress the stone. Clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth, and store it away from harder gemstones that could scratch it in a jewelry box.
Explore More Peridot Guides
- Peridot Meaning: Symbolism & Spiritual Significance
- Peridot vs Emerald: Which Green Gemstone Is Right for You?
- Peridot vs Green Aventurine Compared
- How to Buy Peridot: Quality, Grades & Prices
- Peridot Healing Properties: Benefits, Chakra & Uses
- Peridot Zodiac Sign: Best Signs & How to Wear It
Frequently Asked Questions
What is peridot's birthstone month?
Peridot is the official modern birthstone for August, alongside spinel. It's been associated with the month since it was formally added to the modern birthstone list in the early 20th century, though its use as a protective, light-associated gem goes back to ancient Egypt.
How do you pronounce peridot?
Peridot is pronounced "PAIR-ih-doh" — the final "t" is silent, a holdover from its French origin. "PEHR-ih-doh" is also an accepted variant. The most common mistake is pronouncing the "t" at the end.
What does peridot symbolize?
Peridot has historically symbolized light, protection, and prosperity, tracing back to ancient Egypt, where it was called the "gem of the sun." As the August birthstone, it's now most commonly associated with personalized birthday gifting. Some crystal-healing traditions also link it to calm and renewal, but that association is folklore, not established fact.
Is peridot expensive?
Peridot is one of the more accessible faceted gemstones, typically running $20–50 per carat in finished jewelry — well below sapphire, ruby, or emerald prices. It's a genuine gemstone, not a simulant, which makes it a good value pick for anyone who wants real jewelry-grade stone at a lower price point.
Who should wear peridot?
There's no medical or safety reason peridot is unsuitable for anyone — it's a well-tolerated, non-toxic gemstone safe for sensitive skin. It's an especially fitting choice for anyone born in August or celebrating an August milestone, since it's the official birthstone for the month, but there's no rule limiting it to August birthdays; anyone who likes its bright green color can wear it.
Final Thoughts
Peridot earns its birthstone status honestly — a genuine faceted gemstone with a distinctive color and a history that goes back millennia. If you're shopping for an August birthday or just love its bright olive-green, our peridot teardrop necklace is a sterling silver setting built for everyday wear.
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