Peridot, August’s birthstone, is a rare form of the mineral olivine and is prized for its clear, yellow-green color. The stone usually occurs as a result of volcanic activity; small peridot stones were known by Hawaiian natives as “Pele’s tears” due to their association with the goddess of fire. Very rarely, peridot has been found in meteorites and is the only gemstone known to occur this way. Currently, however, most of the stones are mined in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The peridot’s clear, bright color makes it a perfect addition to summer wardrobes. Wear a long strand of peridot gemstone chips for a casual, contemporary look. Faceted stones can also be paired with either gold or silver findings for a colorfully elegant alternative to neutral-toned semiprecious jewelry.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peridot

http://www.about-birthstones.com/augustbirthstone.html