Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

The modern August birthstone, peridot, is first mentioned in the Bible under the name pitdah. Pitdah, or peridot, was one of the gemstones worn in the breastplate of Aaron, the Jewish High Priest. Legend has it that this gem was also a favorite of Egyptian queen Cleopatra.

A gem variety of the mineral Chrysolite, peridot ranges in color from light yellow-green to dark olive green, with almost every other shade in between.

A gift of peridot is said to be a calming influence. Considered a tonic for the whole body, peridot also protects its wearer from negativity. It is associated with stress reduction and relaxation.

The ancient Egyptians used peridot to clean and heal the heart, which may explain why it was a favorite of Cleopatra. Powdered peridot has been used to cure asthma and legend has it that drinking from a peridot goblet can increase the potency of medicines.

Whether it does have healing powers or not, peridot makes for a beautiful accessory, especially when paired with amethyst, as the two colors contrast nicely, as in the ring to the right.

Peridot looks lovely in almost all types of jewelry, though I am particularly partial to this avant-garde peridot bead necklace with coin pearls and green agate or this combination jade and peridot ring (incidentally, jade is sometimes considered the other August gemstone), available on ice.com for the reasonable price of $195 (though it has a retail value of $400).