Peridot gemstones were once thought to contain rays of sunshine, an observation likely borne from its golden to deep green glow when in sunlight. The Egyptians first found peridot at Zabargad, a Red Sea island and peridot was found in jewelry from the early 2nd millennium BCE. Peridot gemstones were thought to protect wearers from evil spirits. Peridot is the gem-quality green variety of olivine.
Peridots are one of August’s birthstones.
Peridot Studs
Lisa Nik Inc.
Peridot Studs
Suzy Landa
Peridot and Morganite Stackable Rings
Lisa Nik Inc.
Peridot Ring
Lisa Nik Inc.
Color
Peridot can be yellowish green to greenish yellow to brownish-green. Some contain inclusions that cause internal stresses, which produce discoid fractures known as lily pad inclusions.Cut
Peridot gemstones can be cut into many shapes and sizes, often as faceted gems and sometimes as cabochons or beads.Origin
Egypt was an early source of peridot but is no longer a commercial producer of it. Burma (Myanmar) and, more recently, China, Pakistan and the United States are the world’s most productive sources today. Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya, Norway and Sri Lanka are sources too, but have not produced significant commercial quantities in recent years.Durability
Peridot has a hardness of 6.5-7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.Lab-Created
Currently, lab-created peridot is not available, but the gemstone can be imitated using glass, cubic zirconia and synthetic corundum. This information needs to be clearly disclosed to the buyer.Care & Cleaning
- To minimize scratching and wear, store each piece of fine jewelry separately in a soft cloth or padded container.
- Peridot is not an extremely hard gem, so use of ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners is not recommended.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat, acids and sudden temperature changes.
- Peridot jewelry is best cleaned with warm, sudsy water and a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth.
- Take all your fine jewelry to a professional jeweler at least twice a year for a thorough cleaning and inspection.
Find Peridot pieces at a trustworthy, JA Member Jewelry store in our Find a Jeweler directory.
Content © GIA. Image © Robert Weldon/GIA
