Did you know peridot was Cleopatra’s favorite gemstone? Yes, historians say most of her “emeralds” were actually peridot gemstones sourced from Burma and Egypt. One amongst the oldest found green-colored semi-precious gemstones, peridot’s versatility and popularity as a jewelry stone make it most-sought-after even today. It is one of the prettiest of all green gemstones that are available. Its naturally occurring pure grass-green color makes it stand out from other gemstones.

Peridot consists of the mineral olivine, and its beautiful color is caused by the presence of magnesium and iron. The yellowish-green variant is the most common peridot color used for rings and other jewelry.  Peridot gemstone is often associated with purity, and jewelry made of this gemstone is believed to purify the heart of the wearer.

Today, being used in bracelets, rings, earrings, and numerous other types of jewelry, peridot has turned out to be a beautiful and highly popular gemstone. The beautiful apple green and lime green gemstones with custom gem cutting and proper polishing are bound to earn your appreciation.

We’ve provided more information on the various insights you’d want to consider before you purchase this gemstone. Have a quick read through this simple guide to purchase only the highest quality peridot for jewelry designing.

What is peridot?

Peridot gemstone (also called chrysolite) is made up of olivine mineral with a chemical structure (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄. Olivine is a mineral that is rich in magnesium and iron, a combination of which contributes to the gemstone’s bright color.

Naturally occurring in several shades of green, the peridot gemstone mainly ranges from light green to olive-green color. Several gemstones are predominantly formed in the earth’s crust, but that’s not the case with peridot. This gemstone forms much deeper in the earth’s upper mantle. Due to volcanic activity, it is transported towards the surface of the earth.  Peridot has a vitreous luster and possesses a hardness range of 6.5-7 Mohs, which makes it a pretty durable gemstone compared to several others.

Where is peridot found?

 As discussed, peridot is a very popular gemstone as it can be found all over the world in several different countries and locations. Some main sources where they are mined include China, Zambia, Pakistan, Brazil, Tanzania, South Africa, Vietnam, and the United States. In the United States, peridot is majorly found in the state of Arizona. Believed to possess over 80 percent of the world’s peridot supply, most peridot is mined in Arizona on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Other modern peridot mining locations include Finland, Myanmar, and the Zabargad group of islands in Egypt.  As it is easily available in several areas of the world, it is not considered a rare gemstone.

The Three C’s of Peridot:

Color: One of the most important elements that need to be considered before purchasing peridot stone is its color. From all the varieties, the rich green-grass peridot is of the highest quality, whereas the brown-green peridot is of considerably lower quality. Another factor that effectively determines the color of the peridot and thereby also its value is the iron content. With an iron content of less than 15%, the most valuable peridot is dark olive-green color. Therefore, the lesser iron content, the deeper, darker, and more intense green color of the gemstone. However, pure grass-green peridots are rarely obtained, and they are generally found in larger gemstones weighing 10 carats or more.

Clarity: The standard form of peridot of the highest quality has an “eye-clean clarity.” Any inclusions such as black spots that are visible will lower the value of the peridot.  Generally, only eye-clean peridot with no inclusions is used for jewelry. Inclusions within the stone can easily be seen as the gemstone is highly transparent. The price of the peridot depends to a great extent on the inclusions as well. The more the number of visible inclusions, the value drops dramatically. Depending on the size, the visibility of inclusions also depends. Larger stones may sometimes contain more visible inclusions, which give the gemstone a cloudy appearance, making it look dull. The smaller sized peridots appear flawless to the naked eye. Before you purchase peridot crystals or gemstone, it is very important to examine the clarity and ensure there are no visible inclusions in the stones.

Cut: As peridots aren’t very expensive due to their popularity and availability in several parts of the world, they can be cut into several shapes. Since the gem is relatively cheap, a tip is to go for cuts with fine proportions and avoid badly shaped native cut peridots.

Treatments of peridot:

Like several other gemstones, peridot is usually not heat-treated to enhance its color. Its color is natural and is also stable, meaning that it doesn’t change but stays the same in sunlight or artificial light over long durations. Treatment of peridot is one factor that you can be least concerned about when buying a peridot gemstone.

How to take care of peridot?

Although it sits pretty high on the Mohs scale of hardness, peridot is a soft gemstone. So, make sure you handle it with care. It won’t take up much of your time and is quite easy as well. All you need is lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft-bristle brush. The mild soap can be mixed with a little amount of lukewarm water and applied to the gemstone. Using the soft bristle brush, gently clean the peridot. After cleaning, dry with a soft cloth and ensure there’s no residue of the soap on the peridot.

This cleaning procedure can be done once every 6 months or depending on the usage. It is recommended to store it in a cotton box and not along with other gemstones or jewelry. Chemicals, cosmetics, or sharp objects must be kept away from your gemstone. Additionally, sudden or excessive heat can easily fade the pure green color of your peridot jewel. Hence, make sure that the peridot isn’t exposed to sudden temperature changes.

Peridot meaning:

The Egyptian people called peridots “the gem of the sun.” Believed to stem from the Arabic word for gem, ‘faridat,’ peridot has quite a few interesting nicknames. Simultaneously called the “evening emerald” and “the poor man’s emerald” for all good reasons. Peridot’s meaning also resembles being a gemstone of abundance. Hence, it is a great idea to have one in your place of business.

Peridot uses:

• Owing to its hardness that rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, peridot is very popular for all types of jewelry.
• It is widely used in rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets since ancient times.
• Its light color and admirable transparency make it a thought-out idyllic for the summer wear jewelry.
• In several ornaments, peridot can be used as an affordable option in place of an emerald, and the wearer would receive all similar advantages.
• Faceted peridot stones are used for accent stones and jewelry pieces.
• For baroque jewelry, beads, and mosaics, tumbled peridot gems suit the best.

Peridot metaphysical properties:

• Peridot’s metaphysical properties are also commonly associated with emotional and mental healing. It also promotes peace and calmness.
• From ancient times, peridots were widely believed to offer protection from nightmares and evil.
• Peridot is also widely known as the stone of compassion. It is believed to bring peace to relationships, good health, and restful sleep by balancing emotions and mind.
• This friendly, bright green stone brings delight and good cheer. It also has the uncanny ability to inspire creativity and eloquence.
• Peridot frees the mind of envious thoughts that act as a hindrance to friendships and relationships. It has been long considered a powerful aid in repairing and maintaining friendships.

Peridot birthstone:

Often associated with purity, serenity, and calmness, peridot is the most popular birthstone for the month of August. It is also an anniversary gemstone for the 16^th year of marriage.

Buying tips to identify if the peridot you are purchasing is real:

Quite similar to other gemstones, there are several imitations of peridot that are occasionally replaced and faked to trick customers into buying them. A replica of peridot gemstone is usually made using glass, making it relatively easier to detect the imperfections and identify the real gemstone. Some simple protocols to follow to identify authentic peridot are:

• Visual Examination: A real peridot displays a pure green color with very minimal tints of either yellow or brown. So, if you see any other colors in the gemstone, it may be a replica.
• Detect the double refraction: The ability to see two of each pavilion facets when you examine the gemstone closely is one of the unique properties of peridot. Check for peridot’s very high double refraction; it’s likely to be fake if this is absent.
• Analyze the imperfections: Too perfect is also equally suspicious. Peridot’s range of 6.5-7 on the Mohs hardness scale allows it to scratch the gemstone. Hence, analyze the surface for cracks.

When examined under magnification, natural peridots often display some inclusions. In case you observe bubbles in the gemstone, it’s likely to be a fake one made from glass.

Where should you buy peridot gemstones?

As we know, peridot is a very common gemstone, and you can find it at almost any jeweler or online store anywhere in the world. But it stands important to ensure that the purchase is being made from a trustworthy source. So, if you’re still confused about where to buy peridot online, the doubt ends here. We at GemsforJewels, offer natural peridot stones of the highest quality. Providing our customers with a wide array of options to choose from, we aim to serve the best. We offer loose peridot stones, peridot strands, peridot beads, connectors, rosary chains, and many more varieties. There also several shapes to pick from, including pear, rough, tyre, oval, rectangle, round, nuggets, and rondelles.

*Disclaimer: Any of the claims related to the healing benefits, uses, and metaphysical properties of this or any other gemstone are not guaranteed or validated by this Gemstone Guide. All the information provided in this guide should in no way be used as a substitute or alternative for medical advice.*