PERIDOT
PERIDOT
Peridot is derived from the Arabic word Faridat which means Gem. It is also known as the “Poor Man’s Emerald" or “Chrysolite”. However, it is anything but poor! Peridot is ancient! It is as old as our solar system which is 4.5 billion years old! It has been found in Pallasite meteorites. These meteorites consist of green olivine crystals embedded in an iron-nickel matrix. It is the first type of rock to be identified as extraterrestrial.
Chrysolite is derived from the Greek Krysos and Lithos, the name literally means Golden Stone which indicated the beautiful golden yellow-green color of Peridot (and golden Topaz).
Peridot is of magnesium iron silicate chemical composition. It is olive-green, yellow-green and brownish-green color. It has a hardness ranging from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale which makes Peridot suitable for any type of jewelry application including Peridot gemstone rings.
Peridot has a strong double refraction giving it a startling sparkle. It is transparent and often come without any inclusions. Eye-clean specimens are abundant. When cut and polished, peridot has a beautiful, greasy and vitreous luster.
Peridot is a gemstone variety of Olivine. Olivine is not officially a mineral but is composed of two end-member minerals: fayalite and forsterite. Fayalite is iron rich olivine while forsterite is magnesium rich olivine. Technically Peridot is closer to forsterite than fayalite with regard to chemical composition.
The green color of Peridot comes from the basic chemical composition of Peridot itself, and not from traces of impurities. This in gemology is known as Idiochromatic. Nonetheless, the intensity of the green color in peridot will depend on the amount of iron that a particular Peridot gemstone contain with some trace element of nickel and chromium.
Cat’s Eye Peridot are rare; but Peridot with asterism, or four ray star, are extremely rare.
Peridot can be synthesized and sold as the more valuable Spinel or Sapphire.
The ancient Egyptians mined Peridot on the Red Sea island of Zabargad, the source for many large fine peridots in the world’s museums. The Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun.” Ancient Egyptians believed that Peridot was sent to Earth by the explosion of a star and carried its healing powers to Earth. It was believed that Peridot could drive away fears and nightmares.
In ancient times, peridot stones were used for talismans featuring carved donkeys for spiritual enhancement and carved vultures for controlling the four winds and evil spirits.
Ancient Romans called Peridot the “evening Emerald,” because its green color could radiate in the darkness of night by the light of the lamps.
When the Crusaders returned to Europe, they brought with them Peridot, and it was the gemstone used to decorate medieval churches (such as the Cologne Cathedral in Germany).
Peridot was thought of as a gift from Mother Earth to celebrate the annual resurrection of Spring.
It was Peridot that Napoleon gave to Josephine as a pledge of his undying love and admiration for her.
The green of Peridot resembles the pale green of the sea waters, illuminated by the rays of the sun.
Peridot is said to drive away evil spirits and the ghosts of the night and the influences of demons. It protects the wearer from unhealthy obsessions. It also breaks the spells of witches set against you.
It gives the wearer hope, strength, inspiration, and banishes all despair, illogical and insane forms of thinking, and gives the gift of prophecy.
In order to obtain the gift of prophecy, Francis Barret, an English occultist, says that one must put Peridot under the tongue. In order to increase the power of Peridot, it is recommended to set it in gold, and wear it around your neck. According to the great Roman philosopher, Pliny the Elder, peridot must be worn on the right arm to work at its most potency.
Peridot also gives eloquence and cures fevers and it is good for the lungs.
Peridot was valued in ancient times more so than diamonds and it was called "the" precious stone.
The most important deposits of Peridot are found in Pakistan; Myanmar (Burma) and Vietnam. Other deposits are found in Australia (Queensland), Brazil (Minas Gerais), China, Kenya, Mexico, Norway (north of Bergen), South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United States (Arizona and Hawaii). Recently, China has become of the largest producers of peridot. This precious stone is very popular in China today.
Peridot is derived from the Arabic word Faridat which means Gem. It is also known as the “Poor Man’s Emerald" or “Chrysolite”. However, it is anything but poor! Peridot is ancient! It is as old as our solar system which is 4.5 billion years old! It has been found in Pallasite meteorites. These meteorites consist of green olivine crystals embedded in an iron-nickel matrix. It is the first type of rock to be identified as extraterrestrial.
Chrysolite is derived from the Greek Krysos and Lithos, the name literally means Golden Stone which indicated the beautiful golden yellow-green color of Peridot (and golden Topaz).
Peridot is of magnesium iron silicate chemical composition. It is olive-green, yellow-green and brownish-green color. It has a hardness ranging from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale which makes Peridot suitable for any type of jewelry application including Peridot gemstone rings.
Peridot has a strong double refraction giving it a startling sparkle. It is transparent and often come without any inclusions. Eye-clean specimens are abundant. When cut and polished, peridot has a beautiful, greasy and vitreous luster.
Peridot is a gemstone variety of Olivine. Olivine is not officially a mineral but is composed of two end-member minerals: fayalite and forsterite. Fayalite is iron rich olivine while forsterite is magnesium rich olivine. Technically Peridot is closer to forsterite than fayalite with regard to chemical composition.
The green color of Peridot comes from the basic chemical composition of Peridot itself, and not from traces of impurities. This in gemology is known as Idiochromatic. Nonetheless, the intensity of the green color in peridot will depend on the amount of iron that a particular Peridot gemstone contain with some trace element of nickel and chromium.
Cat’s Eye Peridot are rare; but Peridot with asterism, or four ray star, are extremely rare.
Peridot can be synthesized and sold as the more valuable Spinel or Sapphire.
The ancient Egyptians mined Peridot on the Red Sea island of Zabargad, the source for many large fine peridots in the world’s museums. The Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun.” Ancient Egyptians believed that Peridot was sent to Earth by the explosion of a star and carried its healing powers to Earth. It was believed that Peridot could drive away fears and nightmares.
In ancient times, peridot stones were used for talismans featuring carved donkeys for spiritual enhancement and carved vultures for controlling the four winds and evil spirits.
Ancient Romans called Peridot the “evening Emerald,” because its green color could radiate in the darkness of night by the light of the lamps.
When the Crusaders returned to Europe, they brought with them Peridot, and it was the gemstone used to decorate medieval churches (such as the Cologne Cathedral in Germany).
Peridot was thought of as a gift from Mother Earth to celebrate the annual resurrection of Spring.
It was Peridot that Napoleon gave to Josephine as a pledge of his undying love and admiration for her.
The green of Peridot resembles the pale green of the sea waters, illuminated by the rays of the sun.
Peridot is said to drive away evil spirits and the ghosts of the night and the influences of demons. It protects the wearer from unhealthy obsessions. It also breaks the spells of witches set against you.
It gives the wearer hope, strength, inspiration, and banishes all despair, illogical and insane forms of thinking, and gives the gift of prophecy.
In order to obtain the gift of prophecy, Francis Barret, an English occultist, says that one must put Peridot under the tongue. In order to increase the power of Peridot, it is recommended to set it in gold, and wear it around your neck. According to the great Roman philosopher, Pliny the Elder, peridot must be worn on the right arm to work at its most potency.
Peridot also gives eloquence and cures fevers and it is good for the lungs.
Peridot was valued in ancient times more so than diamonds and it was called "the" precious stone.
The most important deposits of Peridot are found in Pakistan; Myanmar (Burma) and Vietnam. Other deposits are found in Australia (Queensland), Brazil (Minas Gerais), China, Kenya, Mexico, Norway (north of Bergen), South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United States (Arizona and Hawaii). Recently, China has become of the largest producers of peridot. This precious stone is very popular in China today.