Legend has it that the inhabitants of St. Johns Island - also known as Zebirget - off the coast of Egypt, mined green stones as early as 1500 BC!

The stones were greatly prized by the Egyptian kings and the people were forced to mine the stones under harsh conditions. The stones were originally called "Topazos" but Topaz as we know today is a completely different stone. The green stones were actually the gem form of the mineral Olivine - now called Peridot.

The gem was associated with the sun, whose rays gave life and dispelled the mysteries of darkness. Peridot was also said to have medicinal properties AND break evil spells! Not bad for a little old green stone!

Peridot is a warm soft olive or yellowish-green stone. It never reaches the intensity or shade of green of emerald but is prized for its softer green hue.

St. John's island is still a major source of the finest quality Peridot, but it is mined sporadically. Typically no stones are mined until little or none remains on the marketplace--thus creating renewed demand for it.

Fine peridot also comes from Arizona and Burma in Asia.

Peridot is not an expensive gem except in very large flawless stones. The best material is green with no tinge of brown or yellow.

Good quality peridot sells for $50.00 to $100.00 per carat.

Peridot is the birthstone for August.