peridot was called the 'gem of the sun' by the Ancient Egyptions and 'evening emerald' by the Romans who often mistaken it as such.
hawaiians thought it to be the Goddess Peles' tears. Pirates thought it had the power to drive away evil spirits, and powdered peridot has been used to cure asthma. No wonder it was Cleopatras' favourite gemstone!
peridot is the birthstone of August and the stone associated with any 16th anniversary.