"HOW TO BUY A DIAMOND WITHOUT GETTING RIPPED OFF"   

   AUGUST: PERIDOT or ONYX.  Peridot “The gem of the sun” were considered powerful amulets  (but only if set in yellow gold) and were said to protect the wearer from spells and ward off evil spirits and  the terrors of the night. Peridot also was an ancient remedy for sinus sufferers. The therapeutic effect of any medicine was intensified if drunk from a peridot chalice. According to legend, the first known peridot was part of a pirate treasure trove, they’d found it on a remote island in the Red Sea. When they perished at sea, the secret of the peridot’s source died with them. Centuries later the Egyptians stumbled on the island (later named Serpent Isle) and rediscovered the beautiful green gems. The Egyptians mined the crystals, cut and made them into jewelry to be worn by the Pharaohs.

Peridot should be a lively lime green, without a brownish or olive cast. Peridot is the child of volcanic action. Tiny peridot crystals are sometimes combed from the black sands of Hawaii.

Care should be taken to protect peridot from scratches, sharp blows, household chemicals and extreme temperature changes. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine for cleaning.

The peridot is abundant, and is available in larger sizes. It is found in Burma and the U.S. The most important source of peridot in the world is the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Globe, Arizona, where it is mined by native Americans. Large sizes are mined in Myanmar (Burma) and peridot is also found in China.

Onyx, on opaque quartz, predominantly black, sometimes white, is frequently carved into cameos or intaglios.

Onyx carved with the head of Mars, god of war, gave Roman soldiers courage.