August is a special month! Not just because peridot is the birthstone, but also because August is Paxton’s birth month and it is his first birthday! When I found out I was pregnant and due on September 2 (sapphire, yay!), I felt compelled to wear my Mini Half Moon Necklace in peridot. It’s a great layering piece, and I wore it during the entire pregnancy. But it made me wonder if maybe Paxton would come sooner than expected, and sure enough, he made his appearance on August 27!
Call it a coincidence, but it had to be destiny that instinctively told me to wear his future birthstone for months before he was even here! I would love to be wearing that same necklace again to honor him this month, but since he is pulling on EVERYTHING, necklaces and earrings have become dangerous! With that being said, let’s look at peridot’s story and then check out some pieces I use this beautiful stone for. (also, looking at this baby pictures makes me miss those snuggles so much!)
History & Lore
Peridot has always been associated with light. In fact, the Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun.” Some historians believe that the famous emeralds of Cleopatra were actually peridot gems. Peridot is said to protect its owner from “terrors of the night,” especially when it was set in gold. It is one of the oldest known gemstones, with ancient records documenting the mining of peridot from as early as 1500 B.C.
With regard to its formation, peridot is different from that of almost all other gems. Most gems are formed in the Earth's crust with two exceptions: peridot and diamond. These two gems are formed much deeper within the Earth’s mantle. They are then brought to the surface by tectonic or volcanic activity.
Kristen Baird® & Peridot
Peridot is chartreuse in color, and I find it to be very lush and vibrant. I offer it in certain pieces, but usually in smaller sizes because it’s difficult to find especially as a large stone. Currently, the piece with the largest peridot that I offer in my line is the 8x10mm Oval Cut Ring. One customer saw this ring and told me, “I’ve always hated peridot as my birthstone, but your ring actually makes this stone look pretty!”
I use peridot in many rings from the Ripple Collection including the 8mm Round Duo, 10mm Round Duo, 8mm Trillion Duo, 10mm Trillion Duo, and Fleur de Cerisier Ring.
Peridot has also been featured in many of my Celestial Collection pieces including the Mini Crater Necklace, Mini Shooting Star Earrings, Stardrop Earrings, Mini Supernova Earrings, and of course, the Mini Half Moon Necklace from my pregnancy.
Peridot Commission: 20th Anniversary Birthstone Cuff
I recently completed this sparkly cuff featuring peridot in addition to citrine and diamond. Set in sterling silver using the “ripple effect,” I had fun designing and creating this one-of-a-kind piece. The cuff features 5 peridots, 5 citrines, 5 diamonds, and 5 gold accents to represent a total of 20 years together. The clients were thrilled, and I was honored to play a role in their anniversary celebration. Check out the cuff in action here.
