Peridot: Some Birthstone Lore for August

Some background on this sunny but contentious gemstone 💎💚

Peridot Ring, c. 1850, V&A Museum, Ring, peridot set in gold, mount made in London, England

No stone is quite as contentious as the peridot, the birthstone for August. Either you love it or you don’t; a middle ground does not seem to exist when it comes to this yellow-green stone. Described as either a lovely, grassy green or crystallized snot…this gemstone operates in extremes. However, the contention behind this stone befits its formation, as peridot is known for forming under extreme conditions: it can be found in the “...hardened lava that carried it from deep within Earth’s mantle as well as in meteorites that traveled from outer space.”¹

The word “peridot” comes from the Arabic faridat, meaning ‘gem.’ This stone was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures, accumulating 3,500 years of history — and lore. Often mistaken for emeralds, Peridot is the rare gem-quality variety of the common mineral olivine. In gemology, each gemstone is merely the jewelry-grade version or variety of a naturally occurring mineral or stone that can be cut and polished. Emeralds, aquamarines, and morganite all emerge from the beryl mineral, while rubies and sapphires come from the mineral corundum. Essentially, all gemstones are minerals, but not all minerals are gemstones.

Henry Fuseli, The Nightmare, 1781, oil on canvas, Detroit Institute of Arts

In the Middle Ages, peridot was believed to protect its owner from the “terrors of the night,” especially when set in gold. Others strung the gems on donkey hair and tied them around their left arms to ward off evil spirits.

The use of peridot in jewelry can be traced back to ancient Egypt, with many gemologists and historians claiming that Cleopatra’s famed emeralds were likely peridots. According to the American Gem Society, peridot “…came from deposits on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea called Topazios, now known as St. John’s Island or Zabargad.”² Peridot was also used during the Crusades to adorn religious objects. It became especially popular in jewelry during the 19th century in Europe, where it was christened with the name ‘peridot.’

Some of the most remarkable pieces of peridot jewelry, however, were made as lavish sets.

Set of gold and peridot jewels by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, London, 1816

The first is a peridot parure from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Created by Bridge and Rundell in 1816, the set comprises a necklace featuring a cross, a pair of earrings, a ring, two bracelets, and a brooch. The set was commissioned by the Prince Regent, the future George IV, for a ‘Miss Coats’ to wear at the marriage of his daughter, Princess Charlotte, to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg.³ ‘Miss Coats’ was likely either Charlotte or Lucy Cotes, who were both ladies in Princess Charlotte’s household. They had been entrusted by the Prince Regent with keeping a close eye on the princess between 1814 and 1816, much to Charlotte’s chagrin, who referred to them as ‘Famine & consequences.’ Supposedly, the other sister (it’s not clear which one) received a similar set composed of amethysts.

Habsburg Peridot Parure via Wikimedia Commons

The other peridot set of note belongs to the Habsburg family. The diamond and peridot parure consists of a necklace, a tiara, a pair of earrings, a devant de corsage, and two brooches. The set contains peridots of a deep, dark olive color. The set was reportedly designed by Kochert, the court jeweller to the Habsburg family, in the 1820s, for Henrietta of Nassau-Weilburg, who married Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen. It was eventually left to Archduke Friedrich (their grandson) and worn by his wife, Archduchess Isabella of the House of Croÿ.⁴

The impressive necklace has seven large pear-shaped peridot pendents that can be removed and attached to the top of the tiara. The tiara itself has embellished delicate floral motifs and three large peridot stones.

Archduchess Isabella (née Princess of Croy wearing her peridot set

Today, peridots are having a moment — at least I like to think so. Even those with a lime green hue are finding their way into people’s hearts, especially those who want something just a little bit different. So, whether you love or absolutely hate this stone, I think we can all agree that it has some of the most interesting lore out of all the different gems. No matter what, peridot is definitely memorable and makes quite the impression.

1. GIA, “August Birthstone,” Birthstones.

2. American Gem Society, “August Birthstones: The History of the Peridot Stone,” accessed August 10, 2025.

3. V&A Museum, catalog entry: ‘Set of jewels, 1816,’ accessed August 10, 2025.

4. The Royal Watcher, “Habsburg Peridot Parure,” September 5, 2021.