Peridot

Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, a magnesium iron silicate with the chemical formula (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄. It occurs in a single color family — yellow-green to olive green to brownish green — with the exact shade determined by the iron content in the crystal lattice. Unlike most gemstones, peridot is idiochromatic, meaning its color comes from a fundamental element of its composition rather than from trace impurities.

Origin and Key Properties of Peridot

Peridot has been mined for over 3,500 years. The oldest recorded source is Zabargad Island (also called St. John's Island) in the Egyptian Red Sea, where the stone was prized by the pharaohs and later by the Romans. Today the main commercial supply comes from the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona, which produces small to medium stones in large volume. Finer large crystals come from Pakistan's Kashmir region (Sapat Valley), Myanmar (Mogok), and China. Peridot has also been found in pallasite meteorites, making it one of the few extraterrestrial gemstones.

Most peridot forms deep in the Earth's upper mantle and reaches the surface through volcanic activity, carried up in basaltic magma. Some specimens originate in meteorites. On the Mohs scale, peridot rates 6.5 to 7 — hard enough for most jewelry but softer than quartz, sapphire, or diamond. It is transparent with a vitreous luster and shows strong double refraction, so back facets often appear doubled when viewed through the table.

Peridot is one of the few colored stones that is almost never treated. It is not heated, irradiated, or diffused. Some stones with surface-reaching fractures may be filled with colorless resin or oil to improve clarity, but this is uncommon. When buying peridot, assume the color you see is natural.

Peridot in Sterling Silver Jewelry

Peridot is most often faceted in oval, cushion, round, and emerald cuts to draw out its green fire, though cabochons and raw crystal slices appear in artisan pieces. The stone's warm yellow-green reads well against the cool white of sterling silver (.925), and silver settings cost far less than gold — which matters when you want a larger center stone. At SilverRush Style, most peridot jewelry falls between $25 and $150, with rings, pendants, and earrings making up the bulk of the selection. August birthstone buyers and shoppers looking for the 16th anniversary gemstone are the most common customers for this stone.

Because peridot rates 6.5–7 on Mohs and has distinct cleavage, it suits pendants, earrings, and occasional-wear rings better than daily-wear rings that face constant knocks. A bezel setting offers more protection than prongs for ring use.

Care and Cleaning

Clean peridot with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners — thermal shock and vibration can worsen internal fractures. Keep the stone away from sulfuric acid and other strong chemicals, and do not expose it to sudden temperature changes. Store peridot pieces separately in a soft pouch or lined compartment so harder stones don't scratch the surface.

Frequently Asked Questions