What is Peridot ?

Peridot is a transparent and chipped type of olivine, made of silicates and yellowish green in color, and this stone is a type of jewelry that has been popular and known among the people of the Middle East and the Near East since ancient times. The reason for the attractiveness of Peridot is its yellowish green colors due to the presence of iron and magnesium in its composition. Peridot is usually found in volcanic rocks called basalt, which are rich in these two elements. This rock has a glassy and oily luster and is not stable against acidic materials and cracks under severe pressure and impact.

The ancient Egyptians first found peridot on the island of Zabargad in the Red Sea, many high-quality and large peridot are in museums around the world. The Egyptians called this stone "the gem of the sun". This gem is still very valuable because of its yellowish green colors and because of its long history. Many strongly-colored peridots can be spectacular and attractive gemstones that are available for jewelry in all price ranges.

Miners find peridot in the form of irregular knots. They are found in some lava flows in the United States, China, and Vietnam, and rarely as large crystals covering veins or pockets in certain types of solid molten rock. Finland, Pakistan, Myanmar and the island of Zabargad are also important sources of peridot.

Peridot may even be from an extraterrestrial source, as it is found in meteorites that have fallen to Earth. The color range of the peridot is narrow, ranging from a brownish green to yellowish green to pure green. Peridot is often yellowish green and is found in jewelry.

Peridot History

Peridot is only found in monochrome and is very popular because of its dazzling green colors. Most stones come in a variety of colors, but peridot boasts the everlasting elegance of green. The amount of iron in the crystal structure of peridot determines the depth of green color in it. Due to the variety of green colors, peridot is often confused with emerald.

From the past to the present, Peridot has been mistakenly classified as emerald several times. There is even evidence that Cleopatra's royal jewels were actually peridot instead of emerald. In general, the history of Peridot is closely related to Egypt, but the correct classification of Cleopatra's jewelry remains a mystery.

Peridot is one of the oldest gems in the world, discovered as early as 1500 BC. History shows that the first rocks were found on an island in the Egyptian Red Sea. According to legend, the islanders were forced to extract gemstones for Pharaoh's treasury both day and night, and apparently they could only recognize the green gemstone during the night because of the beautiful glow of the stone. For this reason, the ancient Egyptians referred to Peridot as the "gem of the sun." It is interesting to note that today Peridot is the national gem of Egypt.

Pridot Source

As mentioned, Peridot can be found in basalt, which is a porous volcanic rock. It is generally found in volcanic rock deposits, which are often solid lava flows. Peridot is usually in the form of pocket-covered crystals in volcanic rock, and these crystals are very small. But there are also larger crystals that sometimes weigh several pounds.

Peridot deposits are found in many parts of the world, the most famous being the Peridot deposit on the Red Sea island of Zabargad. The Egyptians have been extracting Peridot from here for thousands of years and it is still a good commercial product for Egypt. Other important peridot reserves include Pakistan (in the Himalayas), the United States (New Mexico, Arizona), Myanmar, China, Vietnam, and Finland. A recent discovery of Peridot in Sardinia in Italy has also been made.

Extraction of Peridot is almost simple, because most of the lava is close to the surface where it is found. As a result, most mining activities are from surface deposits rather than shaft mining. In general, drilling is required to detect rocks, which may be covered in soil. If Peridot is found in a large crack in the rock, it must be crushed to release the Peridot crystal. Other sources of Peridot include:

·        Mexico

·        Ratnapura, Sri Lanka

·        Kenya

·        Ross Island, Antarctica

·        Mt. Batchelor, North Queensland, Australia

Peridot Varieties

Peridot has different types, each of which has its own unique appearance and value. There are the following types of peridot:

·        Green Peridot

Green peridot is the common name for most types of precious stones. It is sometimes confused with emerald because of its green color. Peridot and emerald are very different in composition, appearance and price. Emerald has a darker green color and is also a rarer stone than Peridot.

·        Changbai Peridot

This type of peridot has been extracted in China's Changbai province and is considered the most valuable and of the best quality. This type of peridot is light green and adds beauty to many jewelry.

·        Hebei Peridot

The name Hebei Peridot is derived from the province of the same name in China. This type of peridot has a distinct chartreuse color with yellow undertones, which helps to distinguish it from other types of gems.

·        Burmese Peridot

This type of peridot is found in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. This stone is famous for its availability in large carat pieces.

·        Vietnamese Peridot

Vietnam is one of Peridot's major sources around the world. The Vietnamese Peridot was discovered in the 1990s and has become more popular in the market with the production of the Peridot area in a variety of shades of green.

Peridot Color

Peridot is available in large sizes and very intense and fantastic colors. The color of the peridot varies from pure green to yellowish green to greenish yellow. The best green is without any shades of yellow or brown.

Often the first green gemstone that comes to mind is emerald. Emerald is the rarest and most valuable green gem that most people know. However, there is another green gemstone like Peridot that is very valuable. Peridot is a green gemstone and is widely used in jewelry. In fact, color is one of the most important features of Peridot gemstone.

As mentioned, Peridot is completely green. Nevertheless, there is a wide range of green in Peridot. Most famously, peridot is a yellowish green, often called peridot green. However, different colors of Peridot vary from a pure green that can be confused with emerald, to a brownish green and even close to yellow. Finally, there are the classic green and yellow gemstones commonly used for Peridot jewelry.

Peridot Cut

Peridot gemstones are relatively inexpensive, so there are no restrictions on Peridot cuts and shapes. It is important to avoid badly shaped Peridots native cuts, and instead look for cuts with good proportions because this gem is not expensive right now.

Common and popular Peridot cuts and shapes include: oval mixed cuts, brilliant cuts, step cuts, cabochon cuts (domed), table cuts, cameo cuts, and pendeloque cuts.

Peridot Sizes

Myanmar Peridot is one of the largest peridots, followed by the Egyptian Peridot. This gemstone from Antarctica is limited to a few stones under 2 carats. In Arizona, more than 10 carats in the form of cuts is very rare.

·        Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC): 310 (Egypt); 287 (Myanmar); 22.9 (Arizona).

·        Devonian Group (Calgary, Alberta, Canada): 82.4, 24.7 (Myanmar).

·        Topkapi Museum, Istanbul: many large and fine cabochons.

·        Private Collections: 284.85 (Egypt); 34.65 (Arizona).

·        Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, Ontario, Canada): 108, 87.1, 83.3 (Myanmar).

·        Geological Museum, London: 136 (Myanmar).

Peridot Care

The hardness of peridots is from 6.5 to 7 Mohs. Therefore, peridots are about as hard as quartz rocks. However, they may still be scratched by household dust. In addition, they are sometimes susceptible to fractures.

It is best to use protective settings for each Peridot loop. Avoid settings that put pressure on peridots. Clean the peridot with just a soft brush, mild detergent and warm water. In addition, peridots are sensitive to acids, peridot jewelry should only be in contact with the skin occasionally.

Peridot Value

Peridot is a bright yellow-green jewel that has been popular since ancient Egypt. The rock is formed naturally during lava flows around the world and is composed of the mineral olivine. Some rare and valuable forms of this gem can also be found inside meteorites.

The price of peridot in India starts at ₹ 400 per carat and can be as high as ₹ 2,000 per per carat ($ 6 to $ 31) (depending on its overall quality). Origin - The United States, Brazil and Mexico are known for their production of gemstones on a commercial scale.

Synthetic Peridot

Scientists have synthesized peridot using melt techniques. It can be detected due to its low SG content and refractive index (RI) as well as its natural chromium peridot properties. Synthetic peridot, which has been grown for experimental purposes, differs only from natural peridot in terms of different inclusions.

Although synthetic peridots may not be commercially viable or cost-effective in jewelry, many simulated peridots are being marketed. In green colors, synthetic corundum and spinel gems, as well as cubic zirconia, may be passed off as peridots.

Some natural green gems such as green garnet and emerald may be confused with peridot. However, lithologists can easily identify the properties of these gems. Fraudsters, because of their greater value, probably offer peridots as emeralds and dantoids. They may even offer Peridot simulators with green glass, which are very similar visually, but their physical and optical properties are significantly different.

Peridot as gift

Peridot is the birthstone of August. Peridot, which is actually a parent stone called Olivine, is an iron and magnesium silicate. This is what creates the colors of olive green, lime green, deep green and yellowish. Deep green shades, without any trace of brown, are the most valuable color in Peridot.

August birthday is a symbol of power. It is sometimes called "night emerald" because of its bright green color. It was once believed that the green crystals of peridot in the volcanic ash of the volcano goddess's tears were stairs.

It is believed that peridot is known as the stone of compassion, by creating a balance between emotions and mind, it creates health, restful sleep and peace in relationships. This bright and friendly green stone also has the ability to inspire eloquence and creativity. It also brings joy and vitality. Peridot is considered an alternative to emerald. It is auspicious when worn by people born under the signs of Leo, Virgin, Gemini and Pisces.