PERIDOT, AUGUST GEMSTONE
Peridot is the gem of the month of August, known for its olive green or yellow-green color and for this reason it was often confused with topaz and emerald, also green in color.
It was discovered in 300 BC in the Red Sea and more precisely in the Topaz island from which it erroneously took its name.
Contrariè ring with brilliant cut peridot and diamonds
Only in 1800, thanks to the Bretons, peridot was given its value and therefore its uniqueness. This gem was extracted for over 2000 years by order of various sovereigns, even by Cleopatra herself, an assiduous collector always in search of emeralds who was deceived by the green color of the peridot.
For some time, historians believed that 200 carats of emeralds were embedded in the precious sanctuary of the Cologne Cathedral, while instead it was peridot.
The gem was worn throughout many ages as a talisman, to ward off evil spirits and keep its owner safe during the middle of the night when the darkness was darker.
Even in "De Lapidibus pretiotis Encheridion" by the poet Gallo Marbodei tells of the peridot and it is said that in order to benefit from its magical power the gem had to be in direct contact with the skin or attached to the left arm.
Today, the areas where peridot is most widespread are found in China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and the United States.
Ring from the Masterpieces collection