August’s birthstone, peridot, is a relatively inexpensive, beautiful gem with a pedigree dating back as far as early Egyptians. Among its accolades, peridot can count being a favorite among royals and clergy, used to adorn everything from a queen’s crown to a knight’s sword. Peridot jewels were actually among Cleopatra’s beloved treasures, though she believed them to be emeralds, as gems were then classified solely by color. Prized for its all natural, unenhanced range of colors, peridot is the gem variety of olivine and exhibits colors ranging from golden lime greens to rich grass greens.