Bright, distinctive and unmistakably green, peridot is the birthstone of August - but there’s much more to this gemstone than its sunny colour.

Formed deep within the Earth and even discovered in meteorites, peridot has a fascinating geological story and distinctive characteristics that gemologists use to identify it.

At Adina Stone, gemstones are at the heart of what we do. Here’s what’s worth knowing about peridot before you wear it.

What Is Peridot?

Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. Unlike many gemstones that occur in several colours, peridot is always green.

Its colour comes from iron within the mineral, creating shades that range from bright yellow-green to deeper olive tones. This natural variation gives each stone its own individual character.

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A Gemstone Formed Deep Within the Earth

While many gemstones form within the Earth’s crust, peridot originates much deeper, within the upper mantle. Volcanic activity can carry this material toward the surface, where gem-quality crystals are eventually discovered.

Peridot has also been found in certain meteorites, giving this gemstone an unusual extraterrestrial connection.

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What Makes Peridot Distinctive?

Peridot is doubly refractive, meaning the edges of its facets can appear doubled when viewed through certain parts of the stone - one characteristic gemologists use to help identify it.

Natural peridot can also contain distinctive inclusions, including so-called lily pad inclusions, which appear as rounded features under magnification.

Its colour is equally recognisable, ranging from citrus yellow-green to richer olive tones. Unlike many gemstones, genuine peridot does not naturally occur in pink, blue, or red.

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Natural Peridot and Gemstone Treatments

Understanding whether a gemstone is natural, created, or treated matters when investing in jewelry.

Peridot’s colour comes naturally from its mineral composition, and significant treatments are uncommon compared with many other coloured gemstones.

At Adina Stone, our peridot jewelry is handcrafted using ethically sourced natural stones, designed to be worn and loved rather than saved for special occasions.

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Is Peridot Suitable for Everyday Jewelry?

Yes - with a little care.

Peridot measures approximately 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It is durable enough for jewelry, but more susceptible to scratching than harder gemstones such as sapphire or diamond.

Earrings and necklaces are particularly easy to wear regularly. Peridot rings can also be worn often, but we recommend removing them before activities where the stone could be knocked, scratched or exposed to chemicals.

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How to Care for Peridot Jewelry

Peridot should be treated more gently than some harder gemstones. Extreme temperature changes can damage it, so steam and ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended.

For everyday care:

• Clean gently. Use lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth or very soft brush.
• Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners. Heat and vibration can damage the stone.
• Keep chemicals away. Put jewelry on after perfume, hairspray, and beauty products.
• Remove rings for hands-on activities. Cleaning, gardening, and exercise can expose the stone to unnecessary knocks.
• Store separately. Keep peridot jewelry in a soft pouch to help prevent scratching

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How to Wear Peridot

Peridot’s fresh green colour makes it surprisingly versatile.

We especially love it with yellow gold vermeil, which brings out the stone’s warmer golden-green tones, while sterling silver gives it a cooler, brighter look.

Wear a single peridot as the focus of a ring or pendant, or layer it with other birthstones and gemstones for more contrast. 

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Why Peridot Makes a Meaningful Gift

For someone born in August, peridot is an easy way to make a piece of jewelry feel personal without an engraving or personalised design.

But it doesn’t have to be about birthdays. A peridot piece can mark a milestone, anniversary, new beginning or simply a love of green gemstones.

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The Adina Stone View on Peridot

Peridot is sometimes overshadowed by emerald, but we think that’s exactly why it deserves more attention.

It has its own unmistakable color, geological story, and natural characteristics. No two stones are exactly alike, and understanding those details makes the jewelry even more interesting.

At Adina Stone, we believe the more you understand your gemstones, the more interesting they become.

Whether it’s your August birthstone or simply your kind of green, peridot deserves a place in your jewelry collection.

Explore Adina Stone Peridot Jewelry
Discover our natural peridot designs and find the piece that feels like you.