peridot

/ˌpɛriˈdɑt/

/ˈpɛrɪdɒt/

Other forms: peridots

Peridot is a beautifully translucent, green gemstone. If you were born in August, peridot is one of your birthstones.

The origin of peridot is unclear, but it may derive either from an Arabic word meaning "gem" or the Latin pæderot, a kind of opal. Peridot is a type of mineral known as olivine; it can be used as a gemstone, cut into shapes for jewelry, and polished to a clear shine. Peridot is almost olive green, with a yellowish tint — the more iron that's present in the stone, the darker green it appears.

Definitions of peridot

1. noun

   a pale green variety of chrysolite; used as a gemstone
   type of:

   chrysolite

   a brown or yellow-green olivine found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and used as a gemstone

   transparent gem

   a gemstone having the property of transmitting light without serious diffusion