peridot |
(PEAR-ih-doe)
|
BUYER’S OVERVIEW:
Peridot is considered to be a semi-precious gemstone and while limited in nature, gems of good color and size are available, however, faceted stones above 5 carats are rare. Peridot is “idiochromatic”, which means it is one of the few gemstones that exist only in one color, a yellowish to brownish green.
COLOR:
Peridot comes in a very narrow range of colors, from a yellowish green to greenish yellow or brownish green.
APPEARANCE:
Transparent to translucent, Peridot is usually included.
SIZE RANGE:
1 to 5 carats, faceted gems over 300 carats are known.
POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
Peridot has no known enhancements.
HARDNESS:
6½ to 7 on the Mohs scale.
BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Peridot can be used in all types of jewelry.
CARE & CLEANING:
It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: risky
Steamer: never
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: can be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: uneven heat or rapid heat may cause breakage.
Stability to Light: generally stable after prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV light.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
The name Peridot comes from the Arabic word ‘faridat’, meaning ‘gem’. It’s also sometimes called chrysolith, from the Greek word ‘goldstone’ and olivine, because of its color. Peridot was one Cleopatra’s favorite gems and was brought back to Europe by the Crusaders.
While most gemstones are formed in the earth’s crust, there are two exceptions, diamond and Peridot, both of which form much deeper, in a region called the mantle. Peridot crystals from in magma from the upper mantle and are brought to the surface by tectonic or volcanic activity where they are than found in igneous rocks. Diamonds are formed much deeper in the mantle under extreme temperatures and pressures. Peridot has also been found in meteorites from the asteroid belt and many have been gem quality, selling for more than $1000 a carat.
Peridot is “idiochromatic”, which means it is one of the few gemstones that exist only in one color, a yellowish to brownish green. Peridot’s color comes from one of its basic components rather than from an impurity as with other gems.
Historically the island of Zabargad in the Red Sea was the most important deposit of Peridot for over 3500 years. Today the best Peridot comes from Pakistan. Peridot is also found in the USA on Peridot Mesa, located on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Phoenix Arizona. It is estimated that between 80 to 95% of the world’s production of Peridot comes from this location. China is a newer source with large production but lower quality then Arizona or Pakistan.
DESIGNATION:
Peridot is the birthstone of August and 16th wedding anniversary
Peridot is considered to be a semi-precious gemstone and while limited in nature, gems of good color and size are available, however, faceted stones above 5 carats are rare. Peridot is “idiochromatic”, which means it is one of the few gemstones that exist only in one color, a yellowish to brownish green.
COLOR:
Peridot comes in a very narrow range of colors, from a yellowish green to greenish yellow or brownish green.
APPEARANCE:
Transparent to translucent, Peridot is usually included.
SIZE RANGE:
1 to 5 carats, faceted gems over 300 carats are known.
POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
Peridot has no known enhancements.
HARDNESS:
6½ to 7 on the Mohs scale.
BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Peridot can be used in all types of jewelry.
CARE & CLEANING:
It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: risky
Steamer: never
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: can be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: uneven heat or rapid heat may cause breakage.
Stability to Light: generally stable after prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV light.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
The name Peridot comes from the Arabic word ‘faridat’, meaning ‘gem’. It’s also sometimes called chrysolith, from the Greek word ‘goldstone’ and olivine, because of its color. Peridot was one Cleopatra’s favorite gems and was brought back to Europe by the Crusaders.
While most gemstones are formed in the earth’s crust, there are two exceptions, diamond and Peridot, both of which form much deeper, in a region called the mantle. Peridot crystals from in magma from the upper mantle and are brought to the surface by tectonic or volcanic activity where they are than found in igneous rocks. Diamonds are formed much deeper in the mantle under extreme temperatures and pressures. Peridot has also been found in meteorites from the asteroid belt and many have been gem quality, selling for more than $1000 a carat.
Peridot is “idiochromatic”, which means it is one of the few gemstones that exist only in one color, a yellowish to brownish green. Peridot’s color comes from one of its basic components rather than from an impurity as with other gems.
Historically the island of Zabargad in the Red Sea was the most important deposit of Peridot for over 3500 years. Today the best Peridot comes from Pakistan. Peridot is also found in the USA on Peridot Mesa, located on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Phoenix Arizona. It is estimated that between 80 to 95% of the world’s production of Peridot comes from this location. China is a newer source with large production but lower quality then Arizona or Pakistan.
DESIGNATION:
Peridot is the birthstone of August and 16th wedding anniversary