Birthstone Spotlight: Peridot
·
·
Welcome to our birthstone spotlight for August! It’s time for us to learn about peridot!
Peridot is often found in volcanic rock. It is formed deep inside the earth and is then delivered to the surface by volcanoes. In rare cases, peridot has an extraterrestrial origin and arrives on our planet via comets!
Many historians believe that peridot may have been confused with other gemstones in ancient times. Ancient Egyptians often labeled peridot as topaz. Germany’s Cologn Cathedral houses 200-ct gems that were believed for centuries to be emeralds, but are peridot. Some historians even believe that Cleopatra’s famous emerald collection might have actually been peridot!
Color: Peridot’s color can range, but the finest peridots are green with no hints of brown or yellow. This sought-after hue is usually found in peridots that are over 10-carats. Brownish peridot is considered the lowest quality.
Clarity: Peridots commonly have inclusions called “lily pads,” which appear as reflective disks within the gemstones. Many also have minute mineral crystals that appear as tiny black spots under magnification. The highest-quality peridot will not have any inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
Cut: Peridot is cut into a wide variety of shapes, including round, oval, triangle, marquise, and cushion shapes. Peridot is also cut using several different cutting styles, including step cuts and mixed cuts. Some are carved, and others might be crafted into cabochons.
Carat Weight: Peridot is relatively inexpensive in smaller sizes. Gems that are 10x8mm and larger are more expensive. The finest large peridots often come from Myanmar or Pakistan, while standard-sizes usually come from China and the US.
What is Peridot?
Peridot is the gem variety of olivine, a mineral with a chemical composition that includes iron and magnesium. The iron in the gems is what causes peridot’s yellowish-green color. The color can range from brownish-green to pure green, but yellowish-green is the common peridot color to be found in jewelry.Peridot is often found in volcanic rock. It is formed deep inside the earth and is then delivered to the surface by volcanoes. In rare cases, peridot has an extraterrestrial origin and arrives on our planet via comets!
The History of Peridot
Since its discovery, peridot has been associated with light. The Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun.” However, the word peridot means “gem” and came from the Arabic word “faridat.”Many historians believe that peridot may have been confused with other gemstones in ancient times. Ancient Egyptians often labeled peridot as topaz. Germany’s Cologn Cathedral houses 200-ct gems that were believed for centuries to be emeralds, but are peridot. Some historians even believe that Cleopatra’s famous emerald collection might have actually been peridot!
Quality Factors
Like most gemstones, peridot’s quality factors include color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.Color: Peridot’s color can range, but the finest peridots are green with no hints of brown or yellow. This sought-after hue is usually found in peridots that are over 10-carats. Brownish peridot is considered the lowest quality.
Clarity: Peridots commonly have inclusions called “lily pads,” which appear as reflective disks within the gemstones. Many also have minute mineral crystals that appear as tiny black spots under magnification. The highest-quality peridot will not have any inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
Cut: Peridot is cut into a wide variety of shapes, including round, oval, triangle, marquise, and cushion shapes. Peridot is also cut using several different cutting styles, including step cuts and mixed cuts. Some are carved, and others might be crafted into cabochons.
Carat Weight: Peridot is relatively inexpensive in smaller sizes. Gems that are 10x8mm and larger are more expensive. The finest large peridots often come from Myanmar or Pakistan, while standard-sizes usually come from China and the US.
How to Care For Peridot Jewelry
It is safest to use warm, soapy water to clean peridot jewelry. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning is generally not recommended for peridots, as sudden temperature changes can cause peridot to fracture. Peridot is durable, so it can be worn often. Try to avoid hitting it on anything, however, or you risk scratching it.Interesting Facts About Peridot
- Peridot is August’s birthstone, as well as the 15th-anniversary gemstone.
- Peridot ranks as a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale.
- Some ancient civilizations believed that peridot could protect its own from “terrors of the night,” especially when set in gold.
- Some also believed that peridot could ward off evil spirits, so they tied them on their arms using donkey hair as string.
- In 2005, peridot was found in comet dust that the Stardust robotic space probe brought back to earth!
