August 2007 , Volume 18 Number 9
Community Paper
copyright ©2007 by Community Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

AUGUST BIRTHSTONE - PERIDOT!
by Phyllis Stewart-Tuell, Gemologist, Stewart Jewelry
2212 Edgewater Drive, 407-425-1496
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The August birthstone is properly pronounced PEAR-uh-doe, not
PEAR-uh-dot. This gem is a very interesting mineral and as many other gemstones, has a background of legends and superstitions. It has been called “the gem of the sun” and believed to have the power to drive away evil spirits and dispel the terrors of the night. It was also thought to remedy asthma when held under the tongue.

Peridot is a mineral that is very common in nature and usually found in igneous rock; however, large gem quality is not common. Gem quality stones are transparent, have a bright yellow/green body color and are usually faceted. Major sources of excellent stones have been Brazil, Australia, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Arizona and most recently China and Pakistan.

Come in and see fine Peridot jewelry and pieces that been paired with Amethyst and other affordable colored gems.