August is here and so are we with the month’s designated gemstone. It’s raining outside and the trees are all glistening in their renewed green vitality. What better gemstone to celebrate this season other than peridot, a gemstone that epitomises renewal and elegance. 

Without further ado, let us adorn our explorer’s hat and take a trip to the fertile soils of the Nile, into the depths of old volcanoes and into the realms of outer space as we journey through time and become friends with peridot and its dazzling hues. 

Welcome aboard and happy journey!

Stop 1: Light, darkness and some mistaken identities

For two millennia and counting, peridots have been associated with light. It all started in the glory days of ancient Egypt, where the people believed that these gemstones came from the skies and hence called it the gem of the sun. The Egyptian priests are said to have crushed peridots up and mixed them with hot drinks as they believed that imbibing this gemstone would bring them closer to the light of the world. Peridot have thus been synonymous with light and vibrant energy since ancient times. 

Although associated with light, it is believed that peridots were not to be mined during daylight as their brightness renders them invisible, while in the dark, they were distinguished as they gave off their signature light. As a result, miners would mark the locations during the evenings and come back during the day to collect these stones. This gemstone associated with light needed some darkness to be found, mined and adorned. Yin and Yang indeed. 

Now that we have covered light and darkness, let us take a detour and understand the curious case of mistaken identities. Throughout history, peridots have been wrongly classified as emeralds…and you guessed it right, it is because of their colour. 

Legend has it that Cleopatra’s legendary collection of emerald jewels were in fact peridots! The 200 carats of green gems glittering at the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany, always believed to be emeralds, were peridots all along. As time would have it, there were many mistaken identities when it came to our shining green friend.

Stop 2: From fiery lava to the sparkle of the summer grass

When someone asks you how deep is your love, and if that someone knows their gems, then the perfect answer should be – ‘As deep as where the  peridots are formed.’ 

Formation of peridots happens only in the most extreme conditions and they originate deep within the earth’s mantle. The forces provided by the tectonic and volcanic activities is what brings these gemstone from the deep dark mantle of the earth closer to its surface. In simpler terms, the lava being forced to the surface from deep within the earth is strong enough to carry a considerable amount of material with it. The volcanic eruption either blasts it out into the surface or deposits it close enough to the surface to be mined traditionally. 

Starting its journey deep within mother earth, peridots travel up with the magma and once the fiery heat cools down, we get to discover some sparkling green amongst the glowing red. 

So if a volcano erupts, do take the time to look at the ground after the calamity is over. In the midst of destruction, you might find at your feet some green gifts from a fiery wrath.

Stop 3: As old as the stars and from as far as the outer space

“You look out of this world” – this is something we tell our friends and lovers when they dress up and show up to make a statement. The statement does not make literal sense though, because they are very much from this world, irrespective of how gorgeous they look. With peridots though, the statement makes literal and figurative sense. 

Simply put, these gemstones are indeed from out of this world. Samples of this green gemstone have been discovered in meteorites that crash-landed on earth millions of years ago. 

Now that we know that peridots exist outside of our planet too, let us turn our attention to the outer space organisation we all adore, NASA. In 2006, an explorer spacecraft sent by NASA embarked on a mission to gather samples from near the sun. Upon its return, the particles analysed included some gem quality peridot believed to be formed 4.5 million years ago. That is as old as our solar system!

Talk about being as old as the stars and from the unknown realms of outer space. So, the next time you adorn yourself with peridot jewellery, you can proudly say that the sparkle is with love from outer space.

Stop 4: The Last Mile 

Now that we have travelled across the land, across outer space and a little closer to the sun, it’s time to understand what peridots bring to the table, apart from their ethereal shine and one-of-a-kind history. 

Much like light, peridots are a symbol of new beginnings. The spectrum of green that peridots cover is second to none. From soft, yellow-green to deep olive shades, this August gemstone’s colour palette is as varied as nature herself. Could there be any better way to start fresh than with the shades of nature?

Going above and beyond beauty and shine, peridots are celebrated for their healing and protective qualities. Peridots are believed to ward off negativity, promote peace and enhance personal growth. This gemstone invigorates the body, aiding in energy flow and detoxification. It inspires confidence, fosters compassion and encourages harmony in relationships. 

Peridot is not just a feast for the eyes, it is much much more than that. Afterall, what else do you expect from a gemstone that is truly out of this world!

Destination: From volcanoes and outer space to the laps of our Garden City

If you enjoyed the 4 pit stops on our journey and were amused by the stories you heard, then we would like to point you to your destination. A short tour through the glittering green corridors of C. Krishniah Chetty’s Peridot Collections. 

At C. Krishniah Chetty , the magic of peridots transforms into spectacular jewellery that embodies its historical allure as well as modern sophistication. 

Let’s dive into this sea of green…

Rings of Harmony: Talk about ringing in some magic with a magical gemstone. Our peridot rings, whether classic solitaires or intricate designs, capture the gemstone’s vibrant essence and infuse it with timeless elegance, so that you find your kind a green that sparkles forever on your fingers. 

Garlands of Felicity: Adorn your neckline with our peridot necklaces and pendants. Crafted to showcase the gem’s brilliance and complement any outfit with a touch of green-hued luxury, C. Krishniah Chetty’s green garlands of felicity are hallmarks of artistry in every carat. 

Twinkling Treats: Our collection of peridot earrings and bracelets combine versatility with style, offering pieces that range from understated to statement-making. Go ahead, pick one, adorn it and don’t hold the green back.

Embrace the Serene. Embrace the Green 

Step into the limelight this August with the enchanting allure of peridots. We at C. Krishniah Chetty invite you to explore our exclusive collection and find a piece that reflects your unique style and spirit. 

Whether it’s a gift for a loved one, an anniversary present for your better half or a treat for yourself, let  peridot be the gem that adds a sparkle to your days.

PS: We would be thrilled to show you our peridotcollections, irrespective of whether you pronounce the gemstone as “pear-eh-dot” or “pear-eh-doe”. As an afterthought – if you are an avid gemstone enthusiast, then we recommend you take the French route and skip the ‘t’. However, adding the ‘t’ is also an accepted American way to pronounce  peridot.