Peridot

Stone of August.

Olivine occurs in volcanic areas. It only occurs in a small range of colours as the colour is caused by iron, a necessary content of the stone. The intensity of the colour varies with the amount of iron. It is found on St John's Island in Egypt and it is thought that the Crusaders, on their way home from the Holy Wars brought the stone back to Europe. For this reason it features widely in religious jewellery. Beaches on the Hawaiian islands contain tiny pebbles of peridot.

Peridot help to heal bruised egos, lessen anger and prevent jealousy, attributed with the power to drive away evil spirits and make wives kind to their spouses!

|Structure: Othorhombic|Composition: Calcium aluminium hydroxysilicate|Moh's Hardness: 6|

Prehnite

Named after Col. von Prehn who discovered the stone at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

Other locations include Scotland, France and Australia.