Peridot is mystical and unique; with a fascinating story. The gem is recognisable through its distinctive lime green colour. Coming from the mineral olivine, it is known to be one of the only gems which derives its colour from the mineral itself, rather than its impurities. Volcanoes bring peridot - which is formed deep inside the Earth's mantle - to the surface of the planet. It has also been found on meteorites. Most of the world's peridot is acquired by way of mining, typically in the state of Arizona, in the United States. But it has been found further afield, namely in China, Pakistan, Myanmar and parts of Africa. Records of the gem date all the way back to 2000BC, when the ancient Egyptians revered it as the gem of the sun. They held the belief that peridot was able to harness the power of nature, and they used it to try and communicate with the Gods. There has been conjecture among historians that Cleopatra's emerald collection is in fact peridot.

Prized peridot

One of the more recent peridot discoveries was made in Pakistan during the 1990s, when a significant deposit was struck open. These are recognised as some of the finest peridots which have ever been found - some at more than 100 carats. When it comes to the largest recorded peridot stone - this is a title which is attributed to a 311.78 carat, 2.35 gram stone which was found on Zagbargad Island in Egypt. It is now housed at the Smithsonian Museums, USA. A 192,75 carat Peridot gemstone is located in Moscow's Diamond Treasury in Russia, and the Geological Museum in London, UK, is home to a 146 carat Peridot stone.

August birthstone meaning and anniversaries 

In 1912, the American National Association of Jewellers made the decision to adopt peridot as the official birthstone for August. We can learn from August birthstone history that the peridot birthstone is said to protect those born in the month of August, banishing fear and insecurities. As August's birthstone, peridot also covers those with the star signs of Leo (23rd July to 22nd August) and Virgo (23rd August to 22nd September). Peridot is also linked to couples who are celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary, and is commonly recommended as a gift item for the landmark. Whether you are buying for a 'child of August', a couple celebrating their 16th anniversary, or another special occasion, Allum & Sidaway is the place to come for peridot jewellery. Our friendly team will be able to find exactly what you require.

Peridot prices 

It is hard to define a 'standard' price for peridot. Prices could fetch all the way up to £800 a carat, but by the same token, you could find peridot in jewellery with silver settings for around just £150. It all comes down to the size, quality, colour of the stone, and the market value of peridot at that given time

Sardonyx 

Sardonyx features layers of onyx and sard in turn. These are two types of the mineral chalcedony. This stone is normally a reddish/yellowy brown. The best examples of this stone are found in India. It can also be found in Brazil, Germany, Madagascar and the USA. Sardonyx is usually associated with courage and happiness. The name itself comes from the Greek words 'sard', which means reddish brown, and 'onyx', which means veined gem. Sardonyx has become recognised as August birthstone jewellery, and has a rich history, having been revered for generations. At one time, sardonyx is said to have been more valuable than gold, silver or sapphire. It was once worn by Roman soldiers as engraved talismans which were thought to channel powers from the stone to the wearer. It was favoured by public speakers for its ability to engender eloquence.

Sadly Sardonyx is not usually something we stock at Allum & Sidaway, however, if it is something that you would like then we can look into acquiring it for you. Visit one of our stores or contact us online if you wish to do so.

Spinel

Spinels, with their distinctive deep red colour, are often confused with other gemstones such as ruby or sapphire. In fact, it was only in the 19th century that a distinction was made between red spinel and ruby. Most famously, the huge 'ruby' which has pride of place in England's royal crown was found to be spinel. A lot of the most famous rubies have actually turned out to be a sapphire. Its defining features are that it has an octahedral crystal structure and single refraction. Large deposits of spinel have been found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar with other smaller deposits in Afghanistan, Nepal, Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania and Madagascar.

At Allum & Sidaway we have a selection of all stones, giving you the choice to choose something special for someone born in August. Visit one of our stores or purchase from a beautiful range of jewellery from our online store.