August
August Birthstone: Peridot, the Zabarjad اگست
In short: August's birthstone is peridot, Zabarjad in Urdu. It only ever comes in green, from olive to bright lime, and Kohistan in northern Pakistan has produced some of the finest peridot of recent decades. Clean grass and lime greens are the most valued, and most stones are untreated. Spinel is a second, less common August stone.
Peridot is the August birthstone, and in Urdu it is Zabarjad. It is one of the few gems that only ever comes in green, anywhere from olive to bright lime. Some of the best peridot of the last few decades has come out of Kohistan in northern Pakistan, so this is a birthstone with a home-grown story.
- Month
- August
- Birthstone
- Peridot
- Urdu name
- Zabarjad
- Colours
- Olive to lime green
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5–7
- Pakistani source
- Kohistan
On the tray today
Shop peridot
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Traditional belief vs gemmology: anything on this page about luck, protection, planets, healing or religious tradition describes traditional and cultural beliefs — not proven effects, religious rulings or medical advice. A stone's identity, hardness, treatment and origin are gemmology, which a lab can test; the references at the end of the page cover that side.
A little history
The ancient Egyptians dug peridot on a Red Sea island called Zabargad, and you can hear the Urdu word Zabarjad in that name. Peridot has even been found inside meteorites. Traditionally it is a stone of good luck and a cheerful outlook. Spinel joined the list as a second August stone in 2016, but peridot is still what most people mean.
What makes a good peridot
- Colour. Clean grass green or lime green is the top end. Brownish, olive tones bring the value down.
- Clarity. A good peridot looks clean to the eye. Small, flat disc-shaped inclusions, known as lily pads, are a natural feature and nothing to worry about.
- Size. Pakistani peridot is known for producing bigger clean pieces, and the green deepens as the stone gets larger.
- Treatment. Usually none.
Have a look at our peridot. For a deeper blue-green, compare emerald; if you prefer an opaque green, see green agate.
Real or fake
- Peridot bends light strongly, so when you look through the top with a loupe, the back facet edges appear doubled. Green glass won't do that.
- Glass also tends to show round bubbles and soft facet edges.
- Green cubic zirconia and lab-made stones get sold as peridot now and then. If it throws fiery rainbow flashes, it isn't peridot.
- You can have any stone you buy from us checked by an independent lab.
Read about peridot pricing and the Kohistan factor.
Care
At 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, peridot is a bit softer than many ring stones, and it dislikes sudden heat changes and acids. Use lukewarm soapy water only, never ultrasonic or steam cleaning, and take a peridot ring off before cooking or heavy housework. The August birthstone guide has more.
Peridot as an August gift
August is the month of 14 August, and a bright green stone feels right for an August birthday. Green is also a favourite at mehndi functions, where a peridot ring or pendant fits in nicely. Since some of the best peridot comes from our own northern mountains, it makes a thoughtful Eid gift too.
Buying peridot from Authentic Gems
All our peridot is natural, and any treatment we know of is on the listing. Pay Cash on Delivery anywhere in Pakistan: open the parcel in front of the rider, check the stone, then pay. If it isn't right, send it back unused within 7 days. For Eid, give yourself some room. We dispatch within 1 working day; Karachi usually takes 1–2 working days, the big cities 2–4, smaller towns up to about 7.
References
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