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Quick answer: peridot is the gem variety of olivine, a magnesium iron silicate, and its fresh yellow-green color is built into the mineral itself. GIA lists a Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7 and names peridot the August birthstone. Traditions link it with renewal, warmth and light. It scratches and chips more easily than quartz, so wear it gently, and glass and green tourmaline are common substitutes.
Most green gems lean toward blue or forest shades. Peridot breaks the pattern, because its green is bright, sunny and a little lemony, like new leaves just after rain. People notice it across a room, and they often reach for it in August, when it becomes the birthstone of the month. The fresh color is why peridot has a reputation as a cheerful stone.
The gem also happens to be one of the most remarkable gems in the world scientifically. The Gemological Institute of America calls it “the extreme gem” because it turns up in lava, deep in the Earth’s mantle and in meteorites that formed with the solar system. Here, the science comes first, then the documented history, the traditions clearly labeled and finally the practical care and buying advice. The crystal meanings guide shows how peridot connects to the other stones on this site.
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What Peridot Is
The gem is the variety of the mineral olivine. According to GIA, olivine has the chemistry (Mg,Fe)2SiO4, which means magnesium and iron share positions in a silicate structure, and the stone’s color is yellowish green. The listed Mohs hardness is 6.5 to 7, with a specific gravity of about 3.34 and a refractive index from 1.65 to 1.69.
Unlike many gems, peridot gets its color from its own chemistry rather than from a tiny trace of an impurity. As GIA points out, most gems are colored by impurities such as iron, while peridot’s color is intrinsically yellow-green. The more iron in the olivine, the deeper and more brownish the green can become, and the best stones are a pure grass green, though most are yellowish green.
Strong double refraction is another signature. According to the same source, when you look closely through a faceted stone, you can see two of each pavilion facet, as though each facet were repeated and slightly offset. The doubling is a beautiful feature and a useful identification clue, which we return to in the fakes section.
Most peridot is eye clean, which means it shows no flaws to the unaided eye, though a magnifier may reveal tiny black crystals. Cut gems of more than 50 carats are possible from large crystals.
Space and Deep Earth
Peridot is found in lava, GIA states,, in the deep upper mantle of Earth and in pallasite meteorites, which are remnants of the birth of our solar system about 4.5 billion years ago. Some extraterrestrial crystals are large enough to cut into gems. In 2005, peridot was also found in comet dust brought back by the Stardust robotic space probe. Few gems have a resume like that.
Olivine is also the main mineral of Earth’s upper mantle, and it shows up at the surface in volcanic rocks. Some beaches in Hawaii are famous for green sand made of tiny olivine grains eroded from volcanic rock, though those grains are far too small to cut.
Peridot Color: Lime, Olive and Everything Between
Shoppers often ask which shade is best. Pure green stones, sometimes described as grass green, are the most prized, while yellow-green and olive stones are more common and cost less. A brownish cast usually lowers the value. Stones from Myanmar and Pakistan have long been admired for their intense color, and larger cut stones show deeper tones because light travels through more material. Lighting changes how any green stone looks, so view a peridot in both daylight and indoor light before deciding.
Where Peridot Comes From
The Red Sea island of Zabargad, also called St. John’s Island, as the source of many large, fine peridots in the world’s museums, and notes that the ancient Egyptians mined peridot there. Other sources include Arizona in the United States, where peridot is found on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, along with Pakistan, Myanmar, China and Vietnam.
In nature, peridot forms in volcanic settings, where basalt carries fragments of mantle rock up to the surface. Those chunks of mantle, called xenoliths, can contain bright green olivine that is later cleaned, cut and polished.
Because supply comes from several regions, prices vary with color and size. Small and medium peridots are affordable, and large clean stones with an intense green cost much more. Attractive smaller stones are available at all price points, according to GIA.
Peridot in History
Ancient Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun,” GIA writes, and the stone has been treasured since earliest times. The Zabargad mines are a documented source, and museums hold large peridots from the island.
Some popular accounts claim that Cleopatra’s famous emeralds were actually peridots. The story appears often, but it is hard to verify, so it is best treated as an intriguing legend rather than as documented history.
Green stones were easy to confuse before modern instruments, which is a good reason for caution with any antique stone sold with a dramatic backstory.
Modern gem study has also embraced peridot because of its extraterrestrial links. The pallasite meteorites that produce cut gems are rare, which makes extraterrestrial peridot a collector’s item.
What Peridot Means in Crystal Traditions
The following meanings come from tradition and modern crystal practice. They are not facts about the mineral and they are not medical claims.
- Renewal and fresh starts. The spring-leaf color links peridot with new beginnings, which fits its place as the stone of a late-summer birthday.
- Warmth and light. The Egyptian name “gem of the sun” gives peridot a sunny reputation.
- Prosperity. Modern lists tie peridot to abundance, as with many green stones.
- Heart-centered feelings. In chakra systems, green stones are linked with the heart, a modern framework that is not ancient.
- Letting go of envy. Folklore ties green stones to jealousy and its release, a theme found in many old lapidary books.
No stone treats or cures any condition, and nothing in this guide should replace a doctor’s advice. The stone can still be a pleasant reminder of the habit you want to build.
The stone’s color also leads people to pair it with other greens. The green crystals guide covers several options, and peridot is one of the brightest in that group.
Birthstone gifts are one of the most common reasons people buy peridot. A small pendant or stud earrings suit a gift well, and a simple card that explains the stone’s history from the Red Sea island to the stars makes the gift feel personal. Check the return policy and ask for care instructions to include in the box, since many recipients will not know that the stone dislikes acids and hard knocks.
Simple Ways to Work With Peridot
A “fresh start” ritual works nicely at the beginning of a month or season, and it needs nothing more than a quiet minute and a notebook.
- Choose one area of life you want to reset, such as a workspace, a budget or a morning routine.
- Hold the peridot up to a window and look at the light in it for a moment.
- Write down one thing to let go of and one thing to start.
- Place the stone beside the notes where you will see it every day.
- At the end of the month, review what changed and adjust.
In jewelry, the stone looks good as well. Stud earrings and pendants protect the stone from knocks, and a bright green pendant sits near the face where its color is easy to see.
Caring for Peridot
Attractive but not especially tough, the stone needs thoughtful care, so give it thoughtful care.
- Clean with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Skip abrasive cleaners.
- Avoid acids, including vinegar and lemon juice, since olivine can be attacked by acids.
- Play it safe with ultrasonic and steam cleaners, which can damage stones with fractures.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes, which can crack the stone.
- Keep it away from harder gems such as sapphire, ruby and diamond, which can scratch it.
- Choose earrings and pendants over rings for everyday wear, since peridot can show scratches and chips on exposed edges.
Water is fine for solid peridot, so quick rinses are safe. The guide to crystals that cannot go in water covers the stones that need to stay dry. For cleansing, moonlight, sound and smoke are popular and gentle, and how to cleanse crystals lists the full set of methods.
How to Spot Fake or Misrepresented Peridot
Affordable as it is, peridot still attracts imitation still exists, and some lookalikes are real gems that are simply mislabeled.
- Glass. Green glass is the most common imitation. It shows round gas bubbles and swirl marks under magnification, and it lacks the doubled facets of peridot.
- The doubling test. Look through the stone at the back facet edges with a loupe. Peridot’s strong double refraction makes the far facet edges appear doubled. Glass does not.
- Green tourmaline and other green gems. These can resemble peridot, though they usually show a different shade and weaker doubling. A gem lab can sort them out quickly.
- Doublets. A thin top of peridot glued onto glass or another base can be hard to spot. Check the side for a seam and unusual reflections.
- Synthetic stones. Laboratory-grown olivine exists, though it is uncommon for jewelry, so a seller should disclose it clearly.
Color is not the best test, since peridot ranges from lime to olive. A very dark, uniform and perfectly clean stone at a bargain price deserves a second look. Ask for a lab report for any high-value purchase, and keep the paperwork with the piece.
Buying Tips
Look for a clear, lively color without a brown cast, a good polish and fair cut. Because peridot is soft compared with sapphire, choose protective settings, such as bezels, and remember that larger stones are more likely to show wear. Ask whether the stone is natural, whether it has been treated and what the return policy is. Keep every receipt and any lab report in one folder, and photograph the stone before you give it as a gift so you have a record of its color and condition. Pallasite peridot is a rare collector’s item, and any seller offering it should provide proof of origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is peridot the birthstone for?
August is the birthstone month for peridot, and it is also the 15th anniversary gem, according to GIA.
Is peridot a crystal?
Yes. Peridot is the gem form of the mineral olivine, which forms natural crystals, though most gems are cut from larger crystals found in rock.
Can peridot go in water?
Brief rinsing is fine. Dry it and avoid acids and long soaks.
Does peridot come from space?
Some does. Pallasite meteorites contain it, and GIA notes that rare extraterrestrial crystals can be large enough to cut into gems. Most peridot in jewelry comes from Earth.
How hard is peridot?
Its Mohs hardness is 6.5 to 7, which is durable enough for careful daily wear but softer than quartz and much softer than sapphire.
Is peridot the same as olivine?
The gem-quality variety of olivine is called peridot. Most olivine is not clear or colorful enough to be called a gem.
Is peridot a good choice for an everyday ring?
Peridot can be worn in a ring, but the hardness of 6.5 to 7 means daily knocks will show over the years. A protective bezel setting and an occasional break from wearing it help, and earrings or pendants will keep the stone looking newer for longer.
Does peridot change color?
The green stays stable in normal wear. Very high heat or harsh chemicals can damage the stone, so keep it away from hot cars, ovens and cleaning products.
