Peridot: Properties & Value, Peridot Meaning & Healing

Peridot: The Beaming Green Gemstone - An In-Depth Overview

When most people think of stunning green jewelry, they immediately go to emeralds. Yet, another luminously green gemstone should be the topic of conversation: the Peridot.

Peridot is most acclaimed for its striking yellowish-green shade, although the hue can vary depending on the amount of iron in the gem’s chemical composition.

Regardless, this luxurious - yet less talked about - radiant green gemstone has long been a symbol of health, peace, and good cheer. Essentially, this dazzling piece is the idyllic cocktail of happiness and unity that will bring a sense of well-being to everyone it adorns.

Peridot: Quick Highlights

• Color ranges from olive to yellow-green, with the finest examples showing a vibrant lime green hue.
• Hardness falls between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively durable for everyday wear.
• Commonly sourced from countries like Pakistan, USA, and China.
• Typical inclusions often include "lily pads" and small black mineral spots.
• Price can range from $20 to over $300 per carat based on factors like color, clarity, and source. Compare prices in our current stock of peridots.
• Historically associated with light, purity, and rejuvenation in various cultures.
• Is the birthstone for the month of August.
• Often found in volcanic rocks and sometimes in meteorites.
• Frequently cut in cushion and oval shapes to maximize color.
• Has been used in jewelry for over 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest known gemstones.

Peridot Healing Benefits and Uses

Although the Peridot is known for its mesmerizing green shade, there’s more to this gemstone than meets the eye. In fact, the Peridot is associated with a plethora of healing benefits that are undeniably transformative to the individual wearing it.

Due to its vivid green shade, Peridot has long been synonymous with detoxification. As such, it’s said that Peridot is a natural healer that helps the body cleanse of toxins. Claimed a “tonic for superior health,” Peridot can also alleviate digestive issues, heal and regenerate cells for an improved immune system, and boost metabolism all at once.

Peridot isn’t just a potent healer for the insides, though. It’s also a magician treating specific skin problems, such as rashes. For those seeking to tap into the fountain of youth, Peridot is also the answer. It is said that this fantastic green gemstone restores a youthful, healthy glow to one’s face.

As a gem often admired for its summertime whimsical spirit, it’s no surprise that Peridot is a gemstone revered for its benefits on emotional and mental well-being, too. Not only can this gem stabilize and improve your mood, but it can also remove feelings of jealousy, hatred, and greed.

Wearers can immediately sense the feeling of happiness, confidence, and peace while wearing this revered gemstone, thus being a beacon of light for all who are in need of a positive change.

Meaning of Peridot

The word “Peridot” comes from the French word “peritot,” or gold. This is likely because the gemstone has a glamorous yellowish-green shade that’s sprinkled with a lavishly golden hue. It is also derived from the Arabic word “faridat,” meaning gem.

According to the dictionary, it’s referred to as a “green semi-precious mineral, a variety of olivine.”

Yet, on a deeper level, Peridot represents mental stability, functional and prospering love lives, and overall well-being. Its forest green shade also makes it a symbol of the serenity of nature.

The sophisticated green gem with flashes of luxurious golden shades is the birthstone for August and the gemstone most commonly given for 16th wedding anniversaries. They are frequently used as an alternative option for 1st anniversaries, too.

History of Peridot

Peridot has an intriguingly rich history dating back to the second millennium BC.

Egyptians first discovered them on Topazios, a small volcanic island in the Red Sea. Cleopatra was instantly fascinated by its overwhelmingly beautiful green shade, labeling it the “gem of the sun.” This ravishingly beautiful gemstone continued to soar in popularity through medieval times, although it was often mistaken for emerald.

Although the gemstone went through a period of subdued popularity, there was a revival in the 1990s when newer, more elegant Peridots were discovered in Pakistan. Since then, Peridot has become a more well-known and sought-after piece, whether it’s used for healing properties or as a symbol of love.

The name 'peridot' was derived from the Arabic word for gem - 'faridat'. It is sometimes referred to as "the poor man's emerald" or as 'chrysolite', a word derived from the Greek word 'goldstone'. It is one of the oldest known gemstones, with records dating back as early as 1500 B.C. Historically, the volcanic island of Zabargad (St. John) in the Red Sea, east of Egypt, had the most important deposit that was exploited for over 3500 years.

Types of Peridot

Peridot is a shimmering gemstone undeniably craved for its majestic green shade. Although many are labeled simply as “Green Peridot,” many different kinds of Peridot gems are on the market. They’re typically broken down by where they came from, such as:

Changbai Peridot

This is the Chinese version of Peridot, which comes from the Changbai Mountain Region. Touted as one of the more finer variations, it boasts a rich green shade with subtle lime undertones that make it really pop. With spectacular clarity, the Changbai Peridot is notably on the more expensive side of the spectrum.

Pakistani Peridot

Pakistani Peridots are mined in Kashmir and differ significantly from the Chinese variety. Pakistani Peridots are known for their captivatingly bright lime green shade, sprinkled spectacularly with a luxurious golden hue.

Hunan Peridot

This type of Peridot is located in the Southeastern area of China. They display the more typical yellow-green shade of the gem. However, they feature unparalleled transparency and clarity, setting them apart from the sea of Peridots.

Burmese Peridot

Found in Myanmar, the Burmese Peridot is a trailblazer in the Peridot industry for its more significant carat cuts. Those seeking a grander gemstone with a higher carat weight should seek out the Burmese Peridot.

Peridot Quality Factors

All Peridot exude some level of brilliance. But some connoisseurs search for the most glamorous, high-quality gemstones. For those seeking the epitome of excellence in their Peridots, here are some quality factors to keep in mind.

Peridot Gemstone Properties

Peridot is known for being the gem variety of the mineral olivine, a rock-forming mineral. Peridot is relatively hard and durable with a hardness of 6.5-7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

The chemical composition of Peridot is a mixture of iron and magnesium. In fact, the iron content is responsible for the attractive green shade, which makes this gemstone idiochromatic. The more iron found in the gem, the more intense the green hue.

This desirable gemstone has a distinct cleavage and conchoidal fracture, plus a reflective index of 1.654 to 1.690. Peridot is also known for its vitreous luster and high level of transparency.

Peridot is an idiochromatic gem, meaning its color comes from the basic chemical composition of the mineral itself and not from minor traces of impurities. Thus, peridot is found only in green. In fact, peridot is one of the few gemstones available that can be found only in one color, although the shades of green may vary from light yellowish to dark brownish-green.

Sources and Mining Locations of Peridot

Most gemstones are formed in earth's crust, but peridot is formed much deeper in the mantle region. Peridot crystals form in magma from the upper mantle and are brought to the surface by tectonic or volcanic activity where they are found in extrusive igneous rocks.

Historically the volcanic island Zabargad (St. John) in the Red Sea was the location of the most important deposit. It was exploited for 3500 years before it was abandoned for many centuries; later, it was rediscovered around 1900 and has been heavily exploited ever since.

List of common peridot locations:

• Myanmar
• Arizona
• Hawaii
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Australia
• China
• Egypt
• Kenya
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• Saudi Arabia

Today, the most important deposits are found in Pakistan (in the Kashmir region and the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region). Beautiful material is also found in upper Myanmar (Burma) and Vietnam.

Other deposits are found in Australia (Queensland), Brazil (Minas Gerais), China, Kenya, Mexico, Norway (north of Bergen), South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United States (Arizona and Hawaii). Recently, China has become of the largest producers of peridot.

How to Care for Peridot and Peridot Jewelry

Proper care is critical for ensuring your Peridot gemstone and jewelry remain scratch-free and magnificent.

Here are some of the top tips to care for your Peridot items:

Identifying Peridot

Chemically, peridot is an iron magnesium silicate and its intensity of color depends on the amount of iron it contains. There may also be traces of nickel and chromium present. Peridot is not especially hard and it has no resistance to acid.

On very rare occasions, peridot is known to form with cat's eye chatoyancy (asterism) in the form of four ray stars. Peridot can be mistaken for similar colored gems, but its strong double refraction is often a very distinguishing trait. In thicker stones, the doubling of lower facet edges can be easily seen by looking down through the table without the need for magnification.

Famous Peridot Gemstones

The largest cut peridot was found on the island of Zabargad, weights 319 carats and belongs to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. In Russia there are some cut peridots from a meteorite that came down in Eastern Siberia in 1749.

What does the gift of peridot mean?

There are many reasons why someone may gift Peridot. For one, it may be a tribute to their birthday month - August. It may also be a memorable way to celebrate a 16th wedding anniversary (although some also use it as a present for first anniversaries, too).

Outside of these circumstances, the gift of Peridot can mean a slew of other things.

For instance, one may gift Peridot in hopes of giving someone good fortune. Another may gift this striking gemstone because they’re in love.

Regardless of why, the gift of Peridot is always a positive and cheerful one - so welcome it with open arms.

What is the meaning of peridot in astrology?

Peridot is the traditional birthstone for those born in August. Thus, it’s most beneficial to individuals with Leo, Libra, and Gemini horoscope signs.

In Indian Vedic astrology, Peridot represents Mercury and Venus. And, as a weak Mercury can hinder one’s intelligence and communication, it’s said that Peridot is beneficial for one’s mental stability and relationships.

It is also considered a stone of the sun due to its enchantingly light and bright aesthetic. As such, Peridot is associated with a cheerier and more positive attitude.

What does the peridot mean in marriage?

Peridot is known as the friendship stone and believed to promote harmony within relationships. This benefits any marriage, as it can promote a happy and peaceful life for the couple.

This is why it is oftentimes given as a present after a year of marriage. However, it is most commonly given on a 16th wedding anniversary.

Regardless, the message is clear - Peridot is a proclamation of a positive and long-lasting marriage free of jealousy, guilt, and financial/communication problems.

Is Peridot a birthstone?

Peridot is the birthstone for August. It sits alongside two other alluring birthstones, Spinel and Sardonyx. This is why it is a popular gift idea for those born in the month of August.

How rare is peridot?

To put it simply, no, Peridot is not a rare gem - especially when compared to other types of gemstones, like Emeralds. Peridot is readily found globally, from the United States to Afghanistan, China to South Africa. This accounts for its less expensive price tag.

Is peridot and chrysolite the same?

In short, no, Peridot is not the same as Chrysolite. Peridot is sometimes referred to as 'chrysolite', a historical name which archaically refers to several green to yellow-green colored gemstones including chrysoberyl, peridot/olivine and topaz.

There’s No Denying the Excellence of the Peridot

Needless to say, Peridots are distinguishable gemstones that set themselves apart with a remarkable blend of playful greens and elegant yellows. They’re the symbol of positivity, happiness, confidence, and peace and are a welcome addition to any jewelry collection.