Peridot: It's So Easy Being Green

August birthday girls, you've got pretty peridot as your birthstone. Ever wonder what's behind all the green glam? Here is some peridot history and lore to arm you with plenty of fun facts when you drop hints to the gift givers this year.

PERIDOT, FUN FACTS

Peridot, the gem form of the mineral olivine, traces its jewelry roots back more than 3,500 years. It was first mined by the ancient Egyptians on the island of Zebargad in the Red Sea. Zebargad was known as the "serpent isle" because it was infested with snakes that interfered with mining activity until one Pharaoh finally had them all driven into the sea.



Found in various shades of green, peridot is most prized in lime hues. The Romans called peridot "evening emerald" because its green color was said to glow at night. The gem was also used to decorate medieval churches and was most likely carried back to Europe by the Crusaders. Large peridots of more than 200 carats in size adorn the shrine of the three magi at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.


Small crystals have been found in volcanic rock - in fact, Hawaiian legend called peridot the divine tears wept by Pele, goddess of the volcano. Samples of the gem also have been discovered in meteors that have fallen to earth.

The ancients believed that peridot had the power to ward off evil spirits, nightmares and enchantments. It was also used as a medical remedy to treat asthma and other ailments. Its power was considered most potent when the stone was set in gold. Peridot was also said to strengthen any medicine drunk from goblets carved from the stone.



Most of today's peridot is mined by Native Americans on the Carlos Reservation in Arizona. It is also mined in Brazil, China, Egypt, Germany, Hawaii, Italy, Norway, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. A new deposit was discovered in Pakistan in 1994, yielding some of the finest peridot ever seen. Numerous fine, large crystals were discovered, including one stone of more than 300 carats.

Peridot's relative affordability and lively green color has made it a popular substitute for those who cannot afford emeralds. The birthstone for August, peridot is also the recommended gem for couples celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary.

Shop Peridot Gems on Jewelry.com

Celebrity Jewelry Line Round-Up

What would our lives be without the constant stream of celebrities selling jewelry? It seems like yesterday that Nicole Richie was one of the first to make a successful go of it, but now every reality show star and D-lister is throwing their hat in the ring.

Here are the latest names list to jump into the jewelry biz:

1. Nicky Hilton

Paris Hilton's more productive younger sister is launching a high quality/low price jewelry line inspired by her own collection.

“I’m a crazy jewelry collector,” Hilton tells WWD. “I’ve always known since I was a teenager that I wanted to do a line. Whenever I bought something, whether at a flea market in Paris or a bazaar in India, I’ve been collecting pieces.”

Her line will have styles inspired by her mother and grandmother's David Webb pieces in addition to some with an edgier feel a la spikes and snakes. The collection will range from $35-$480 and will be sold exclusively at Endless.com before branching off to other locations.


2. Priscilla Presley

Priscilla Presley's line for QVC is the aptly named Priscilla Presley Collection, a line of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings that's part rock-and-roll, part red carpet glam.

The former Mrs. Elvis launched her line yesterday with prices that range from $35 to $170.

3. Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian and her sisters Kourtney and Khloe already have a jewelry line with the brand Virgins, Saints & Angels, but Kim's solo stint with Loren Jewels brings her name to a higher-priced couture line of gems.

Loren Ridinger has often put her Loren Jewels on red carpet divas like Eva Longoria Parker, Jennifer Lopez and Alicia Keys, according to Luxist. The blue and white diamond earrings shown above have 38.62 carats of diamonds and sell for a cool $19,000.

4. Shoshanna Gruss (Lonstein)


This former Jerry Seinfeld flame and successful fashion designer is partnering with QVC darling, Judith Ripka, on a costume jewelry line that includes crystal heavy pieces and statement necklaces that sell for $20 to $80.

"I wanted my costume jewelry line to have the same versatility as my clothing line–a collection of pieces that can make a seamless transition from day into evening. I love being able to wear a dress to a daytime luncheon and then out to a concert later that night, with just a change of jewelry and accessories," Gruss told Fashionista.com

Her line launched yesterday on QVC with styles still available on www.qvc.com.

5. Christie Brinkley


Christie Brinkley's line on (you guessed it...) QVC was inspired by her Hamptons lifestyle. The Christie Brinkley Jewelry Collection is done in sterling silver and includes bracelets, cocktail rings and dangle earrings with quartz, sapphires, topaz, agate and other gems. Prices range from $45 for a woven leather bracelet to the higher priced gemstone bracelet pictured here for $393.

"This line is a celebration of all the things I love." said Brinkley in a press release.

Who is your favorite celebrity designer? Tori Spelling? Kelly Bensimon? Ramona Singer? I'm partial to Nicole Richie's House of Harlow line. Weigh in!

Look Sharp With Jaws Jewelry

Jewelry, hounds? I have another 'lower jaw drop' jewelry moment to share with you. Literally.

To celebrate "Shark Week", Disney Couture and Discovery Channel are featuring a jaws-inspired yellow gold ring that's selling like fishcakes.

The golden gums are the perfect way to weigh in with the statement ring trend (see yesterday's blog for more) and at only $40 could work well solo or stacked.

In other lower-jaw-dropping news, Liz Taylor is apparently 'diving' into marriage again with her longtime companion, Jason Winters. This time she's bringing a $3 million diamond turban as an escort. Jewelry.com reports the headgear will feature a 30-carat white diamond with two 40-carat yellow canary diamonds on either side.


Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...

Jewelry Trend Alert!: Statement Rings

Fall jewelry trends for 2010 are starting to reveal themselves, and while layered chain necklaces and bangle stacks continue to shine bright, there's a fun new look that's sure to stir things up - statement rings.

More than just a pretty cocktail piece, statement finger candy makes an entrance. Think Gaga, not girl-next-door. This fun style on Katerina Graham at the Teen Choice Awards is one shining example.


This 80s throw-back I spotted on Trend Hunter is a two-trend-in-one solution since the decade of Duran Duran continues to influence the taste-makers (Those are little onyx dots! Love!).


The H. Stern Alice in Wonderland rings would be the perfect solution (for those of you with cash to burn).


It's not so easy being green? Think again, Kermie. Check out these verdant statements from Hafsteinn Juliusson's "Growing Jewelry" collection.


And flower rings are still blooming bright, like this Juicy Couture 'Flower Punk' ring from Nordies on Jewelry.com.

I love a lower-jaw-drop moment that doesn't necessarily come from carat count.

What do you guys think of the trend? Do you have something in your jewelry box that qualifies? Or is this the perfect excuse to start shopping?

Eat, Pray, Love...Shop

Jewelry and Hollywood. From Twilight's "Team Edward" pendants to Alice In Wonderland's Mad Hatter charm bracelets, consumers aren't just experiencing movies at the multi-plex. They're taking them home to their jewelry boxes.

The latest film to join the big studio licensing bonanza is Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling-memoir-turned-movie, Eat, Pray, Love. For those of you living under a rock, the movie stars none other than Julia Roberts and will be out in theaters next Friday.

Los Angeles jewelry brand Dogeared signed a licensing deal with Sony to produce a collection of jewelry, books and travel-related items associated with the film, with Fred Segal and ABC Home on board to distribute, according to WWD.

The "Eat Pray Love by Sue Wong" collection hit stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstorm, Bloomingdales, and Dillard's.

And on August 6th, 7th, and 8th, HSN will dedicate 72 hours of programming to featuring items themed around "Eat Pray Love" and its locales, including days dedicated to Italy, India, and Bali.

Somehow, I don't think Elizabeth Gilbert had branded T-shirts, caftans and bead necklaces in mind when she penned her story of personal awakening...but that's showbiz!

Kanye West's Diamond Dental Work

Kanye West is topping his giant gold jewelry display at the BET Awards earlier this summer with a doozy of a diamond statement. According to his recent 'tweets', the self-proclaimed king of hip-hop has replaced his lower teeth with, um, diamonds. (And apparently his cerebral cortex with Play-doh).

This isn't your run-of-the-mill diamond grill a la Lil Wayne, folks. When asked by his Twitterati if he was for real, he came back with this:

"No seriously ... I said my teeth are real diamonds... these are not fronts... I replaced my bottom row of teeth with diamonds."

These are his twitpics to prove it!

It seems bling is back in a big way for Kanye - but will the world care? Maybe he should just stick to peeving off pop stars? What do you guys think of his icy move?

Diamonds on the Down Low at Chelsea's Wedding

Jewelry hounds? Who doesn't love an over-the-top Liz Taylor-esuqe decadent display of diamonds every now and again, right? It's what we love to see on the red carpet and at all the gawdy-as-all-get-out celebrity weddings.

But I am here to tell you, that I couldn't be more pleased with Chelsea Clinton's decision to do just a 'splash' of sparkle for her big day. No tiaras. No diamond dog collars. No swinging from the 'chandeliers'.

Nope, Ms. Clinton chose teeny tiny diamond flower cluster drop earrings and a sliver of a diamond tennis bracelet with a matching floral motif. I applaud her less-is-more bling approach. (Jewelry.com has a great article today if you want the same styles for your jewelry box)

Loved the Vera Wang choice too, no? You all know I die for de la Renta (the other rumored designer choice and the genius behind Hillary's Mother-of-the-Bride gown), but the VW never disappoints.

I also loved that she duped us all. No Oprah. No Streisand. No Spielberg. No fireworks. Ted Danson was the biggest star there! The limited pics they made available to the press said it all: it was an event full of love and privacy - despite the star-power of her famous folks. I'm happy that it was truly her day, despite fashion stalkers like me wanting to know every detail.

What do you guys think of her wedding diamonds? Subtle and stylish? Or small and snoresville?