Peridot. August birthstone.

Associated with the sun, Peridot has been prized since the earliest civilizations for its protective powers to drive away the forces of darkness.

Called “the extreme gem” by the Gemological Institute of America, Peridot is born of fire and brought to light, one of only two gems (Diamond is the other) formed not in the Earth’s crust, but in molten rock of the upper mantle and brought to the surface by the tremendous forces of earthquakes and volcanoes.

The peridot can only be green; pale yellow green, olive green, bottle green or intense, intense apple green.

Peridot is the gem given to celebrate a 16th wedding anniversary.