Peridot is a vivid green gemstone and the birthstone for August, prized for a fresh lime-to-olive colour that stays bright in any light. It is one of the few gems that forms in a single colour, and it has been treasured since ancient Egypt. This guide covers what peridot is, its colour and hardness, where it comes from, what affects its value, and how to care for it.
Peridot is the gem-quality form of the mineral olivine. Its colour comes from iron within the crystal itself — not from trace impurities — which is why peridot is always green, ranging from a light lime through to a deeper olive. The finest stones show a pure, slightly yellowish green with a lively glow. At Irosk, every peridot is natural.
Peridot is green, and only green. The exact shade depends on how much iron the stone contains: lighter stones lean yellow-green, while larger or more saturated stones deepen towards olive. The most prized colour is a vivid grass-green with minimal brown or yellow. Because the colour is part of the crystal's chemistry, it does not fade.
Peridot rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. That makes it well suited to everyday jewellery such as earrings, pendants and rings, though like most coloured gems it is best protected from hard knocks and harsh chemicals. Our peridot is set in 925 sterling silver.
Peridot has been mined for over 3,500 years. The ancient Egyptians sourced it from Zabargad Island in the Red Sea, and today notable deposits are found in places including Pakistan, Myanmar, China and the United States. Peridot is also one of the rare gems found in meteorites.
Peridot is one of the more affordable coloured gemstones, which is part of its appeal — it offers vivid colour at an accessible price. Value rises with stronger green colour, larger size and cleaner clarity. For a full breakdown, see our guide on how much a peridot costs.
As August's birthstone, peridot is traditionally associated with strength, renewal and good cheer, and has long been given as a birthday and friendship gift. These associations are part of the stone's folklore and history rather than any claim about its effects.
Explore our natural peridot in 925 sterling silver: browse the full peridot jewellery collection, or shop by style in rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. For the wider month, see our August birthstone jewellery collection.
