Peridot. The stone of the month for August.

The magnificent Peridot, with its dazzling yellow-green hue, has been underrated for years, flying under the radar as a small, easily obtained and relatively inexpensive minor gem, often considered simply the birthstone of August. However, a recent resurgence is revealing what peridot lovers have always known: this is a truly exceptional gem.

Dubbed "the extreme gem" by the Gemological Institute of America, the peridot is born from fire and emerges into the light, being one of only two gems (the other is the diamond) that are formed not in the Earth's crust, but in molten rock from the upper mantle, driven to the surface by the tremendous forces of earthquakes and volcanoes. While some are born from Earth, other crystals of this gemstone have an extraterrestrial origin, being found in rare pallasite meteorites (only 61 known to date) that formed about 4.5 billion years ago, at the dawn of our solar system. . Peridot in its basic form, olivine, was also discovered in the dust of a comet brought back by the robotic space probe Stardust in 2006, has been found on the Moon and detected by the instrument on Mars aboard NASA's Global Surveyor. . The ancients believed, with some precision, that it was expelled to Earth by the explosion of the sun and that it had healing powers.

With its olive tones, it is one of the few gems that comes in a single color. Its exquisite facet evokes the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, when the leaves transform from green to gold and hang like jewels in the sunlight. It is a crystal that radiates warmth and well-being, stimulates mentally and regenerates physically. It has the gift of inner radiance, sharpens the mind and opens new levels of consciousness and growth, helping to recognize and achieve spiritual destiny and purpose.

Associated with the sun, it has been prized since early civilizations for its protective powers against dark forces. Set in gold and worn around the neck or left arm, it served as an amulet against witchcraft and magic, evil spirits, night terrors and madness. In addition, it was believed to cure cowardice, calm anger and sharpen intelligence. Even today it is valued for these virtues, protecting the aura, purifying the physical and subtle bodies, and relieving emotional burdens, guilt and obsessions. It is especially beneficial for overcoming fear, depression and other psychological disorders, as well as for releasing jealousy, resentment and resentment in order to move forward. It promotes responsibility and forgiveness, instills confidence in one's abilities, and restores a sense of self-esteem. A powerful generator of high frequencies, this enchanting talisman can be used to manifest abundance in all areas of life: wealth, health, happiness and love.

It is the variety of the Olivine gem, an iron and magnesium silicate mineral of the forsterite-fayalite family, the amount of iron being responsible for its color. Although olivine is an abundant mineral, high quality peridot is quite rare, especially in larger sizes. Its color can vary from a bright yellow, lime or pure green, to a dark olive or brownish green; Dark olive green being the most valued. Mostly, it appears as a transparent and well-faceted jewel. There is no known treatment to improve its color or clarity, so it is not subjected to heat treatments or other processes. However, there have been reported cases of unscrupulous producers using metal coatings to increase their stability or to cover paler stones.

The birthstone of the month of August has been highly revered throughout history. In fact, many historians believe that Cleopatra's famous emeralds may have been peridots. It was also highly revered in medieval times, and sanctuaries and sacred places were adorned with this beautiful green gem. The current term "Peridot" is derived from the Arabic word faridat, which means "gem." Although it is now mined in many parts of the world, it remains the National Jewel of Egypt.

It has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. This means that it is relatively resistant to scratches and abrasions, but can still be susceptible to damage if exposed to strong impacts or subjected to excessive stress.

It is found in various parts of the world, but the most important deposits are in countries such as Myanmar (Burma), the United States, Egypt, China, Pakistan and Australia.

PROPERTIES

Peridot stands out as an extraordinary crystal to heal the emotional body and resolve matters of the heart. Its powerful influence cleanses and heals hurt feelings and "hurt egos", decreasing anger, jealousy, resentment and resentment, while teaching us the importance of letting go of attachment to people or the past, as this hinders our personal growth. It invites us to examine the past for lessons and gifts in our lived experiences, accept our mistakes, and free ourselves from guilt and regret so we can move forward.

It exerts stimulating psychological clarity and inspires a sense of happiness and satisfaction in life. It empowers us to separate our mind from external influences and have confidence in our own abilities, by looking inward for guidance and accessing the wisdom of our higher mind. It encourages independence and assertion without aggression, allowing us to accept the world as it is and, from that acceptance, transform it with a clear intention to create the reality we truly want to experience.

In short, peridot is a fascinating gemstone that fuses beauty and unique properties. Its hardness and shine make it an ideal choice for use in jewelry, while its metaphysical qualities make it an amulet of good luck and protection. Whether worn as an ornament or as a spiritual tool, peridot certainly adds a special touch to the lives of those who own it.