Peridot

Green, the colour of our natural world, is overwhelmingly associated with positivity. Blessed with such a gracious colour is the gemstone peridot. A mere look at it is enough to induce in you a sense of positive energy. In use since the ancient times, the gemstone is still very much valued today. It is regarded as the most ideal coloured gemstone for the summer wardrobe. No wonder, it is also a gemstone associated with August month. In fact, in recent years, its popularity has stemmed from the fact that it is an August gemstone and brings the wearer good luck, growth, peace and success. The enthralling colour of peridot is what attracts the admiration of people the most. The stone is relatively inexpensive, light and blessed with an unparalleled beauty.
The name ‘Peridot’ seems to have come from the Arabic word faridat which means ‘gem’. The Oxford English Dictionary however, suggests that it came from classical Latin paederot which is a kind of opal. There are other reports which claim that the term comes from the French word ‘peritot’. Peridot is sometimes known as ‘the poor man’s emerald’. It is also referred to as ‘chrysolite’, a Greek word for ‘goldstone’. Peridot is a very old gemstone, but still today it manages to lure people by its sheer beauty. They are widely mounted on rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, engagement rings, eternity rings and bridal set rings. Needless to say they make an excellent gemstone for jewellery and its hardness, durability and attractive colour make it ideal for everyday use.
‘AG & Sons’ has a beautiful collection of jewelleries in peridot. They are our prized possession owing to its attractiveness and affordability. We have peridot in many interesting shapes and sizes. While you can opt to customise a jewellery piece with peridot, you can also go through our wide display of peridot jewelleries like earrings, rings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces, engagement rings, eternity rings and bridal set rings.

Peridot has a fascinating history. One of the world’s oldest gems, peridot’s discovery dates back to as early as 1500 B.C. According to some records, the first stone was discovered in the Egyptian Red Sea, on the Topazo island now known as St. John’s. Apparently the islanders were forced to mine day and night to excavate the gemstone. The gemstone could only be spotted during daytime owing to the beautiful glow it radiated under the sun. This led the ancient Egyptians refer the gemstone as ‘the gem of the sun’.
The Egyptians also regarded peridot as a spiritual gemstone and as per records, Egyptian priests would grind peridot and brew a strong beverage out of it for consumption during ritual ceremonies. There are archeological evidences to show that Cleopatra’s favourite gemstone were actually peridot and not emerald as was previously deemed. Nevertheless peridot has an irrevocable connection with Egypt and today is hailed as its the national gem.
According to the ancient Hawaiian folklore, peridot was the hardened tears of the goddess Pele, who was a powerful goddess associated with lightning, volcanoes and fire. It was known as the ‘evening emerald’ by the ancient Romans because its colour darkened at night though it glowed brilliantly under artificial light. Peridot was found mentioned in the Bible under the name ‘pitdah’, a Hebrew name. The gemstone was brought to decorate the plates and robes in medieval churches in Central Europe by the crusaders. It was also believed that Napoleon used peridot to convince Josephine of his love and commitments. The ancient Hebrews also knew much about peridot as it was found mentioned in the apocalypse text and was also used by Aaron.
Throughout history, peridot was associated with many magical powers. Legends believed that if it is set in gold, it exhibits its full power as a talisman and could be used to dispel bad-dreams, terrors and night-fears. For many years, the 200 carat gem that adorned the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral was thought to be emerald only to be discovered later that it was peridot. The people of the medieval age believed that peridot was used to cure sick individual, cure respiratory and heart issues.
Peridot’s popularity can be ascertained from the fact that it is still widely admired and favoured over other gemstone. Its beauty intensifies when set in metals like gold as rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings, engagement rings, eternity rings and bridal set rings.

It is a gem variety of Olivine, which is a silicate mineral rich in iron and magnesium. The formula of Olivine is therefore (Mg, Fe)2SiO4 which shows the presence of both iron and magnesium. Peridot is formed when olivine crystallizes, a process which takes place under extended periods of high pressure and temperature in rocks where the mineral olivine is present. The process is known to take millions of years. Olivine is primarily found in places of extreme heat and pressure, like mantle of the earth and volcanic rock. The peridot crystals, created in the magma in the upper mantle appear to the surface either by volcanic or tectonic activity. They normally appear in extrusive igneous rocks. Olivine mineral may be found in abundance, but it is rare to come across a gem quality peridot. This is because of the chemical instability of the mineral on the surface of the earth.
Much of gem peridot are born in igneous environments, however, they are also found in some types of meteorites though very rare. Many varieties of gems were found in meteorite, however, it was discovered that peridot is the only one which is large enough to be used in jewellery like rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, engagement rings, eternity rings and bridal set rings. A meteorite was believed to have landed in Siberia in the year 1749. It was found to contain innumerable pieces of peridot crystals which were big enough to be set into jewellery.

The deposits of peridots are found in various parts of the world. Australia, China, Myanmar, Mexico, Brazil, Kenya, Pakistan, USA, Egypt, Tanzania are some of the places from where peridot is sourced. The finest quality peridot comes from Mogok in Burma, and Pakistan in the Kashmir region. USA was considered to be the largest supplier of peridot for many years with the San Carlos Reservation of Arizona as a significant source. Of late, China has become the largest source of peridot.
Peridot’s abundance and availability along the length and breadth of the world makes it an ideal gemstone for use in jewellery like rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, eternity rings, engagement rings and even bridal set rings.

A striking fact about peridot is, it is one of the very few gemstones that are available in a single colour. It is usually a rich, green colour with a hint of gold cause by the presence of a small amount of iron. However, the intensity of the green colour may vary depending on the amount of iron content. The tone of the colour can therefore vary from yellow-green and olive and may even appear brownish green. The colour exhibits best under natural light. Peridots with an iron percentage of less than 15% and with elements of chromium and nickel are considered to be the best coloured peridot. The most favoured, loved and valued coloured is an intense green coloured peridot.
Peridot measures 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It may not be as hard as the diamond, but it is fairly robust and can be easily maintained. Peridot has great transparency. They are largely available without inclusions and impurities, though the larger stones may have some inclusions and impurities which make it appear cloudy. Cut and polished peridot have a vitreous lustre and are very attractive. Owing to the excellent transparency it possesses, peridot is widely faceted. For use in jewelleries like rings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, engagement rings, eternity rings and bridal set ring peridot of different shapes like ovals, rounds, cushions, emerald are created. Cuts like the table, unconventional checkerboards and steps are however more popular.

Owing to the yellowish green colour, peridot is believed to cure diseases of the liver and help eliminate problems associated with digestion. Apart from helping in physical detoxification, it helps dissolve problems of the gall bladder, kidneys, lungs, gallbladder, heart, thymus, stomachs, intestinal tract and heals illness like constipation and ulcers. It aids in balancing bipolar disorders and in overcoming hypochondria. It is regarded as a powerful cleanser and releases toxins. It alleviates exhaustion, lethargy and stress.
Peridot is very beneficial in treating several psychological problems. It dispels resentment, bitterness, jealousy, hatred, irritation, guilt, greed, nervousness, etc. It helps one to attain confidence, motivate growth, form new relationships and be responsible. Peridot is known to help individuals attain emotional balance, inner peace and help understand ones destiny. Peridot is especially known to be a very beneficial gem to dispel anger, calm the nervous system and release the emotional tensions.
The healing attributes along with its unique beauty is enough to lure people into getting it mounted on jewelleries like rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, eternity rings, engagement rings and bridal set rings. They are primarily famous as a birthstone. They make an ideal August birthday gift.

The world of fashion is in the process of rediscovering the stunning beauty of peridot. The beautiful green colour peridot when worn as rings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces, earring, engagement rings, eternity rings or bridal set ring will transform all the beneficial energies to you. A fascinating gem, it has a fascinating story to narrate through its colour and lustre. AG & Sons has an amazing collection of peridot jewelleries which are tastefully designed to enhance the beauty of the stone. We cater to customisation also so if you have a special design with peridot in mind, you can come to us.