Is For Peridot
Peridot—Birthstone of August, gift for the 16th year of marriage, healing and protective
- Protective especially of the aura. Used to keep away evil spirits in ancient time
- Release old baggage
- Brings about necessary change
- Good for healing and regeneration of skin and tissue
- Balances bipolar disorders and hypochondria
- Good for gallbladder, ulcers, eyes, heart, lungs, intestinal tract
- Treats asthma
- Place on stomach during childbirth to strengthen contractions but lessen pain (why did no one tell me this earlier?)
- May appear dull in daylight but glow after dark—or in artificial light
Like diamonds, peridot (PAIR-uh-doe) is forged deep in the Earth’s mantle—unlike most gemstones which form in the Earth’s crust. Peridot grows in the upper mantle (20 to 55 miles deep) while diamonds occur waaaaay down in the mantle at 100-150 miles. Heat and pressure create the crystals of fayalite and forsterite known as olivine. Stones reach the surface mostly by volcanic activity though some fall as meteorites. I picture a nice volcano spouting beautiful green crystals. Green is the only color peridot comes in though the amount of iron in the fayalite determines the intensity of green.
Back in the day—the ancient day—peridot was mined on an island in the Red Sea called Topazios, now known as St. John’s Island or Zabargad. Because of this point of origin, peridot was often referred to as topaz though the stones are quite different. Today, Arizona is a major supplier of peridot.
Peridot is supposed to effectively dissolve enchantments. Set it in gold to make it more potent. String it on donkey hair and wear it on your left arm to ward off evil spirits. (If your donkey declines to donate a hair, a black silk thread may work as well.)
And a shout out to Shanna at Urban Hoot Designs (You’ll find them on Etsy at www.urbanhootdesignes.com). I was desperately seeking a nice example of peridot I could get to my backwater region in time when I found today’s cutest-thing-in-the-word for this post. This little bottle is on a brass chain and I couldn’t be happier with it. With my order, I told Shanna I was doing this series of posts and she included a snazzy wish bracelet made of rose quartz which you will see in a future post. This is why we all should support real people–artists, writers, crafty peeps–instead of chain stores. Thanks, Shanna!!
Monday’s Crystal Fix: Quartz
Bonus--Last year for the A-Z Blog challenge, my theme was Magic. See the P is for Poppet post HERE.
Just Like Gravity is about past lives and karma. Get a copy of Just Like Gravity HERE or HERE
Do you love witches and crystals and romance and danger? Make a note on your Calendar: Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones will be released by Oghma Creative Media in September. Go HERE to find out more!
One thought on “A-Z Blog Challenge 2015–Crystal Fix–Peridot”
Peridot is so pretty, and I didn’t know it could glow in the dark. It’s my daughter’s birthstone, too. (mine is Topaz – Nov.) I’ll have to tell her what you wrote about it.