Peridot (also known as olivine or chrysolite) has been used as a gemstone for thousands of years. Mined since 1500 BC, peridot was originally found on a volcanic island, known as St.John, in the Red Sea. Collected for Egyptian kings, legend has it that the island was guarded and any unauthorised people who approached the island were put to death. Whether stolen or traded, the crusaders brought peridots to Europe in the middle ages where they became cathedral treasures and were used for religious purposes.

Fine quality peridots have been found in Myanmur (Burma) and China but peridot is also found in Australia, Brazil, Norway,South Africa and USA ( Hawaii and Arizona).

Colour:      Lime green, olive green, yellowish-green, brownish  
Hardness:  6.5 - 7 Mohs Scale
Symbolic:  Birthstone for August
             
Peridot is relatively inexpensive when buying small sized gemstones, larger stones of fine quality are more expensive.

In ancient times, it was believed that peridot kept away evil spirits or dispelled the "terrors of the night".