August Birthstone - Peridot

Peridot is the birthstone for August. It is the one gemstone born in fire and sometimes called the volcanic gem. Small crystals are often found in volcanic rock or in some meteors that fall to earth.

Peridot is the gem form of the mineral Olivine. It’s colors range from a yellow-green to a deep forest green, and is caused by the mineral iron, which makes up much of its base. Unlike other gemstones Peridot is found only in the color green.

In Hawaii, Peridot represents the goddess Pele’s tears. Almost all of the Peridot sold in the Hawaiian Islands today, come from the state of Arizona. Many stones have come from the volcanoes of Hawaii over the years, but most stones found today are too small to cut into jewelry grade gemstones.