Knowledge
Peridot, is the gem variety of olivine, its mineral type, and displays a distinctive bright golden green hue. Used in jewellery for millennia, peridot continues to astound with its attractive colour and fascinating origins.
Gemstones
History and Symbolism
There are a few theories as to how peridot got its name. It could derive from the Greek ‘peridona’, roughly meaning ‘to give richness’, referring most likely to its intense green colour. It has also been suggested that it comes from the Arabic ‘faridat,’ meaning ‘gem’.
Esteemed since ancient times, the Egyptians mined peridot on the island of Zabargad, which is where many of the finest peridots, now seen in museums across the world, originated. The Egyptians called it the ‘gem of the sun’ and used peridot in jewellery as early as the second millennium BC.
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Peridot has been confused with another green gem, emerald, over the centuries. It has been said that Cleopatra’s famous emerald was indeed a peridot, and gems adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Cologne Cathedral, Germany, were thought to be emeralds for centuries. They are, in fact, peridots.
The Formation of Peridot
Most peridot was formed deep within the earth over 4.5 billion years ago. Brought to the surface by volcanoes, these gems are often found in lava flows and, less frequently, in veins of molten rock. These volcanic basalts are rich in iron and magnesium, elements which make up key parts of its chemical composition, with iron being responsible for its vivid yellowish-green hue.
Very rarely, peridot can also come from extraterrestrial sources, falling to the earth in meteorites. However, this peridot is unlikely to be found decorating jewellery due to its immense rarity.
Peridot is one of just a few gems which only come in one hue, unlike, for example, sapphires, which form in almost every colour of the rainbow.
Immerse yourself in our collection of vibrant peridot pieces spanning the eras. from engagement rings to cocktail rings, visit our showroom today, or browse our entire collection online.
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Today the best specimens are found in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kashmir, though they can also be found in Burma, China, Australia, the United States and parts of Africa. For amateur gem-hunters, this last location may be of interest for the summer holidays, as peridot can be easily picked up on the beaches of the volcanic island of Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, just off the coast of Morocco.
The peridot colour range is narrow, ranging from a brownish-green to green and yellowish-green, which is the hue most commonly found in jewellery.
Measuring a 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, peridot would require some care when being worn, as it is not the hardest gemstone.