The color of this peridot is so vivid, so striking, that no ordinary adjective quite does it justice. Describing it calls for something a little more poetic, and in cases like this, only Shakespeare will do. In the final scene of The Merry Wives of Windsor, the fairies are urged to dance, forming a kaleidoscope of joyful hues, including a green “more fertile-fresh than all the field to see.” It’s this kind of verdant brilliance — lush, zesty, and alive with energy — that captures the stone’s rare and radiant spirit. In present day speak, this cocktail ring packs a serious punch in bold absinthe green.
Referencing the Bard is not overreaching. Peridot possesses a might and mystique that aligns it with the romantic and the mythical. The August birthstone, it has a long and fascinating history stretching back more than 4,000 years. The ancient Egyptians believed it could ward off evil spirits and referred to it as the “gem of the sun.” The luminous, lemony-lime green stone is also mentioned several times in the Bible. Fred Leighton brings the storied gem to life in a swirling contemporary cocktail ring that honors both its beauty and its pedigree.
Presented as a deep, faceted oval, the 31-carat peridot glitters with citrusy flashes, like sunlight dancing beneath the surface of a crisp tropical pool. A smooth rub-over setting in 18-karat yellow gold encircles the stone, amplifying its green fire and drawing attention to its prismatic depths. For the band, two bold, rope-like loops of platinum, meticulously pavé-set with shimmering round diamonds, gird the finger in a radiant glow, illuminating a seldom-seen silhouette and asserting the ring’s avant-garde daring and originality.
“We’re always looking for rare and unique pieces. When we saw the fine color and unusual elongated shape of this peridot, we knew we had to make a spectacular cocktail ring,” says Greg Kwiat, CEO of Fred Leighton and of his family’s venerable Kwiat house. “The impressive size and vibrant color are captivating, and we wanted the stone to take center stage. The sinuous modern diamond elements make an abstracted serpentine motif to complement the soft curvature of the oval peridot.”
A longtime purveyor of unforgettable red-carpet jewels to Hollywood’s most glamorous stars — from Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger and Zendaya to Kieran Culkin (who wore a Fred Leighton custom-designed sapphire, emerald and peridot brooch to the 2025 Academy Awards) — the firm is known for sourcing heritage jewels and creating pieces distinguished by their elegant complexity. Pieces of this quality demand an elite mix of specialized craftsmanship and deep historical knowledge. Many of their most remarkable details aren’t immediately visible. Here, the peridot is supported by a hidden ring of gold, so that it appears, when viewed from the back, to be hovering above a tiny golden halo.
“The Fred Leighton aesthetic often marries historical inspiration and detail with modern design. We love to mix metals, colors and even time periods when styling a look,” says Kwiat, noting of this particular piece, which dazzles from every angle and wears like a miniature sculpture. “This ring is all about that radiant color and would lend the perfect touch of eclectic charm to any style.”