{Why Not Peridot!}

Peridot, pronounced with the “t”, or as per-i-doe, is the traditional August birthstone, and is also infamously known as the poor man’s emerald.  It can often be found on the bottom, back shelf at Saks, to the left, past the pearls, behind the amethysts; or in the sadly displayed birthstone earring stand near the guy that pierces ears at the mall.  Ultimately, it is the underdog of the birthstone family.

As an August baby myself, I never took much pride in my monthly gem, until I realized how much the stone actually reminds me of summer.  Peridot, with its green coloring and subtle luminosity, reminds me of the seaweed drifting in the ocean, the grass that I picnic upon in the park, and the relish on my hotdog.  Its color ranges from an elegant olive green to a more whimsical citrusy-lime.  The stone transcends all boundaries because its color works as a neutral, stands up to blacks, plays with purples, and adds interest to reds. It is the answer to all wardrobe malfunctions. 

With the beginning of August here, we can sit back and savor that we still have one more month of summer to enjoy.  But why let the summer end with September?  Why not enjoy its essence all year?  Why not peridot! 

Below are some beautiful pieces of peridot-infused jewelry, designed by Ayelet of Coco & Lime.  See how well the lime green stone plays alone and with others. Check out cocoandlime.com for more gemstone creations.