August Birthstone Color

Wear a Peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.

This is an old Gregorian birthstone poem that is written about the August birthstone. Are you born in August, under the zodiac sign of Leo? The Leo responds to birthstones like Onyx, diamond, carnelian, sardonyx and ruby. But, those who are born in the month of August are said to have a Peridot as their birthstone. In the following paragraphs, we shall learn more about the birthstone colors and meanings related to the August birthstone color, that is, Peridot.

Peridot - The August Birthstone
Peridot is a gemstone that is formed due to volcanic activity. It is said, that the Peridot was discovered many years ago on the Hawaiian islands. The natives thought the presence of these stones indicated the tears that were shed by the volcanic goddess, Pele. The color is what gets the stone connected to nature. This is the reason why the ancient Egyptians drank Soma, a beverage in the cups made of Peridot. This was said to bring them closer to the goddess of nature Iris.

Ancient Egyptians called Peridot 'gem of the sun' due to the dazzling colors of the gem in the sun. The Arabs called Peridot 'faridat' that means 'gem'. It appears in Bible in Hebrew as 'pitdah'. It is said it was the favorite gem of Cleopatra. The miners used to mark their location during night as this gem glowed in the dark. Then they would come back in the morning to retrieve the stone. This is the reason, Peridot is also called the 'evening emerald'.

The August birthstone color is described as light sea green with a tinge of yellow. People often mistake the Peridot for zircon, apatite, garnet, emeralds, although they lack the yellow hint of the brilliant green in the birthstone color of August. The August birthstone is known by three names, Peridot, olivine and chrysolite. The olivine is a mineral name for Peridot and chrysolite is an ancient name for Peridot. The birthstone color for August in case of olivine, ranges from light yellowish green to dark olive green. It is said to protect the wearer from evil and when set in gold, helps in protecting one from night terrors. It was grounded into a powder as a remedy for asthma and cure for fever.

Symbolism for August Birthstone
The color green is a symbol of nature. Peridot is also a gift for the 16th marriage anniversary. The birthstone color for August is green that is also a symbol for renewal of life. The brilliance of this stone is also said to be a symbol for success and dignity. It is said to protect the wearer from negativity. It helps in reduction of stress and helps the wearer relax.

Other August Birthstones
Sardonyx is the traditional August birthstone that is translucent and has alternating bands of brownish red or white running parallel to each other. This stone is a symbol of happiness in a relationship. It is believed to impart courage and bring success to an individual. Egyptians believed Sardonyx brought good luck to the wearer. The mystical August birthstone color is white that is represented by the diamond. According to Ayurveda, the birthstone color for August is blue represented by the gemstone Sapphire.

Peridot is known for its vibrant green color that will dazzle you. If you believe in gemology, speak to an expert before you wear one. This is because gems can have a negative effect on your individual luck too.