The French were the first to call this yellow-green stone peridot in the 18th century. Before then, peridot was known as topaz. Peridot has been mined as a gemstone for an estimated four thousand years and is mentioned in the Bible. Historical legend says that peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra, although at the time they were called emeralds. Peridot is the best known gem variety of olivine, a species name for a series of magnesium-iron rich silicate minerals. This bright yellow-green to green gemstone has caught the fancy of humans for thousands of years.
Peridot is considered a tonic for the whole body and protects the wearer from negativity. It is associated with stress reduction and relaxation. Egyptians used peridot to clean and heal the heart. Powdered peridot has been used to cure asthma and a peridot placed under the tongue of someone in the grip of a fever is said to lessen his or her thirst. One legend says that drinking from a peridot goblet will increase the potency of medicines. Further research indicates that ancient Indo-Iranians, and Vedic and Persian cultures may have used cups carved from Peridot for their ritual drink of Soma.
Many gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron described in the Bible (Exodus 28, 15-30). The breastplate was a ceremonial religious garment set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac and the twelve months of the year.
September 23, 2007 at 8:42 am
Very Beautiful stones.
June 10, 2008 at 6:02 am
does wearing peridot have an harmful effect to the wearer