an Unpolished peridot

Peridot

August's birthstone

Photograph by Walter Geiersperger, Corbis

Represents happiness

You’re happy! You never get up on the wrong side of the bed. “Grumpy” definitely doesn’t describe you.

Old-school myths

Peridots were once thought to glow in the dark. People felt that peridots could ward off anxiety, help one speak better, and improve relationships. Peridots protected anyone wearing them from evil and enchantment.

Rock-solid facts

Peridot is the gem-quality crystal of the olivine rock. It is the only gem found in meteorites.