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Peridot
is August's Birthstone
If you're still young enough to remember
your birthday, you probably also remember
the special birthstone assigned to it. But
at your age, we bet you don't really know
the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and
what power the ancients felt would be bestowed
about you by wearing it.
August
Birthstone: Peridot
Birthstone
Properties: Illumination
Alternative
Birthstone: Sardonyx Peridot is the
birthstone for August and 16th anniversary
gemstone. Its name comes from the Arabic
word "faridat," meaning gem.
Peridot
is sometimes referred to as an "Evening
Emerald" because under artificial light
it glows as a brilliant green. Peridot is
transparent with subtle color in a variety
of greens, ranging from light yellowish
green to a dark olive. The purer green a
peridot is, the higher the value. Any tinge
of brown greatly diminishes the value of
a peridot, as well as visible flaws. Ancient
History Found in both early Greek and early
Roman jewelry, peridot has been popular
since 1500 BC when the Egyptians started
mining it.
The
Egyptians called the lustrous stone the
"gem of the sun" and believed it had the
power to ward off anxiety, enhance speech,
and foster success in relationships and
marriage. Peridot crystals are sometimes
combed from the black sands of Hawaii where
the gemstone is abundant and available in
larger sizes.
Hawaiians
believe that peridot is the tears shed by
Pele, the volcano goddess. Pele must have
traveled extensively, however, because peridot
is also mined in Burma, Norway, Brazil,
Australia, Hawaii, the Congo, and in Arizona.
Peridot is found in Europe in many medieval
churches decorating several treasures, including
the Cologne Cathedral. Peridot use peaked
during the Baroque era, but the gemstone
fell out of favor over time until the 1990's
when a new source in Pakistan re-ignited
interest in the forgotten stone.
Take
Two and Call Me in the Morning
Legend has it that drinking from a peridot
goblet can increase the potency of medicines.
Egyptian priests drank from cups made of
peridot, believing it would draw them closer
to Isis, their goddess of nature. Peridot
was said to be useful for calming raging
angers, curing nervous afflictions and promoting
tranquility in high-strung individuals.
Many legends state that peridot was considered
a powerful amulet against all evil, as well
as a remedy for sinus problems. Powdered
peridot has been used to cure asthma, while
a peridot stone placed under the tongue
of someone with fever is believed to lessen
his/her thirst.
Making
Dreams Come True
Peridot was thought to help dreams become
a reality, and was often given as a symbol
of fame, strength and vitality…as well as
promise of new growth in the years ahead.
It also symbolizes eloquence and persuasiveness.
Peridots were especially favored by pirates.
The terrors of the sea considered peridot
powerful amulets against all evil, and when
set in gold, were said to protect the wearer
from the terrors of the night…including
nightmares.
About
the Author
For
more information on jewelry and gemstones,
we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com
to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy
Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped
Off." This concise, informative special
report reveals almost everything you ever
wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones,
but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report
at www.morninglightjewelry.com.
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