Long known as the "Evening Emerald", and called "gem of the sun" by the ancient Egyptians, Peridot is the gem version of the mineral Olivine. It is known for being formed under extreme conditions, as it can be found in hardened lava that carried it from deep down in the Earth as well as in meteorites from outer space.

Peridot is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, which means it can scratch glass, but is not as strong as Aquamarine or Morganite. It has fair to good toughness, which means it is suitable for jewellery, but should be worn with some care so as not to scratch it or bang it, which can cause fractures.

Clean Peridot gently. It is safest to use a soft-bristle brush with a mild dish soap in warm water. Peridot should be stored with care to avoid scratching by stronger gems.

• Birthstone - August
• 16th Wedding Anniversary
• Mohs Scale - 6.5 - 7
• NOT suitable for daily wear
• Can scratch Glass

Information from GIA.