Date: August 2021

As the saying goes, “what goes around, comes around”. This is true with jewelry as well as clothes. Of course, timing on these trends is of utmost importance. With an acute eye for fashion forecasting, we are here to tell you about all the vintage jewelry trends that are back in style. This way, you can be your most fashion forward self and be ready to dazzle in the upcoming season.

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Since Biblical times, each month of the year has been assigned one precious gemstone known as a birthstone for the month. The association of gems with birth months comes from the breastplate of Aaron which held a different gem for each of their tribes of Israel, each of which was celebrated in a different month.  Christian culture associated each disciple with a month and kept the tribe’s gem for that month. Other gems are linked to the twelve signs of the zodiac which do not quite coincide with today’s.. Many cultures throughout history have believed that birthstones hold magical powers or protection for the wearer, and this belief has permeated modern jewelry myths to this day.

The month of August is classically linked to a particularly extraordinary gem: the Peridot.

What Is Peridot?

Peridot (pronounced PEAR-A-DOE) is a beautiful gem of the mineral olivine, known for its distinctive vivid green coloring. The intensity of yellowish-green is deeper with more iron content, It’s value is more because of this beautiful coloring. Peridot has the nickname “evening emerald,” as it glows prettily under lamplight. 

The gem peridot has been found in numerous locations throughout the world, and is also one of the first known gems to also come from outer space! Extraterrestrial peridot found in Pallasite Meteorites is not large enough or strong enough for use in jewelry but is evident as flecks of olivine crystals. Peridot is softer than many gems, with a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Most peridot mined for jewelry is from China, Myanmar, Tanzania and the United States.

The History Of Peridot

Some think “peridot” comes from the Arabic word for gem, “faridat.” Valued in many ancient and medieval cultures, peridot can be traced back to the second century BCE in priests’ jewelry and chalices, and even further back to the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. In fact, a small island off the coast of Egypt once known as Topazios (now Zabargad) is the oldest recorded source of peridot. Cleopatra was famous for her vast collection of emeralds, which historians now believe must have included many specimens of peridot.

The Power Of Peridot

Some believe gemstones hold supernatural powers providing good luck and protection to the wearer. The birthstone of August, peridot is associated with harmony, good health, and peacefulness. Supposedly, peridot can calm anger, free the mind of envious thoughts, and ease depression. It symbolizes strength and has been used for hundreds of years as a protective charm that shields its owner from evil spirits. Specifically, peridot that is set in gold is thought to ease “terrors of the night”, protecting from nightmares and restless sleep.

Whether you are drawn to this gorgeous gemstone for its purported benefits, its lovely color, or because you were born in the month of August, there is no doubt that Peridot has a colorful history as a valuable gemstone. Contact Argo & Lehne Jewelers today for more information about our assortment of Peridot and other birthstone jewelry. View our collection here (https://www.argolehne.com/?s=peridot&post_type=product)

Show images of the three sale peridot items. Find these three pieces at an exceptional value all this month in our 97th Anniversary Sale.