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Peridot

Peridot, transparent gem quality olivine, was mined on St. John’s Island (also called Zebriget), 188 miles east of Aswan, Egypt, as early as 1300 BC. At the time the island was called Topazios, and the peridot were called "topaz".  Its location lost for centuries, the peridot mines were rediscovered about 1900.  St. John's Island remains an important producer of fine peridot today.

Lore

"The ancient Romans are said to have worn rings of peridot to calm the nerves, dispel melancholy, and aid sleep . . . As a healing stone, the peridot is reputed to heal insect bites, facilitate the birthing process, strengthen the eyes, heal stomach ulcers, and treat disorders of the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, and intestines" ¹

"In biblical times the peridot was considered to be a great spiritual teacher capable of producing miracles, while in medieval times a peridot engraved with the image of a mule was used to predict the future." ²

During the Middle Ages peridot was brought to Central Europe by the crusaders.  It was believed to help divine the future and used to prevent nightmare.  It was also thought to be capable of breaking evil spells and said to cure sinus infections. 

"The powers of peridot are believed to be twice as intense if it is set in gold.  Peridot was thought to have the power to drive away evil . . . In Hawaii, the lore of this gem is that the goddess Pele cried tears that turned into peridots." ³

"Peridot can be used to bring results to ones search - the seeking of that which is lost in the physical world, as well as the quest for the enlightened state." ⁴

"The psychological values of the stone are worth exploring.  It has been used with success to treat various forms of depression and is believed most useful for restoring one's self-esteem or soothing a bruised ego.  Various bits of folk lore are consistent with peridot's ability to raise your spirits." ⁵

Peridot ". . . was associated with the sun, and therefore, was said to dissolve enchantments and evil spirits.  It was believed that the powers of darkness would always be subdued by the sun or anything associated with it." ⁶

Peridot is one of the birthstones for July.

1)  Gerina Dunwich  "Dunwich's Guide to Gemstone Sorcery"  pg 80

2)  Marguerite Elsbeth "Crystal Medicine" pg. 178

3)  Brenda Knight  "Gem Magic: Crystals and Gemstones for Love, Luck, and Power "  pg 161

4)  A. Melody "Love is in the Earth- A Kaleidoscope of Crystals" pg. 313

5)  Paul V. Beyerl "Gem and Mineral Lore" pg. 118

6)  Bruce G. Knuth "Gems in Myth Legend and Lore" pg. 140

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