Peridot -
August Birthstone
Peridot is a bright yellow
green or golden green variety of olivine Peridot is a member of the
Olivine mineral group. The amount of Iron determines the color
saturation. Peridot ranges in color from yellowish Green to deep olive
Green..Bright golden green, but can vary to darker green or greenish
yellow.Peridot's name is derived from the Greek peridona, meaning to
provide plentifully.
It was originally found
on Egypt's St. John's Island once known as Topazios, in the Red Sea,
which is now known as Zeberget.The history of Peridot dates
back more than 3,500 years when It was prized by the ancient
Egyptians. Hawaiian legend called Peridot the divine tears wept by
Pele, goddess of the volcano.
Sources for
this gemstone
Burma,China,Tanzania.Also the
U.S. has become the major source for Peridot since the world's largest
known deposit is on the San Carlos Apache reservation 80 miles west of
Phoenix, Arizona.
Treatments
Peridot is an excellent
choice for jewelry, but should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic or
steam cleaner. We recommend ionic cleaners and/or warm,
soapy water and a soft brush as the best way to clean
Peridot.
Healing
Powers.
Like many of the world's
popular colored gemstones, Peridot has been credited with a host of
magical powers and healing properties, such as protection against
nightmares and possessing the power to ward off evil.
Extraterrestrial
Gem
Small
crystals of peridot are often found in the rocks created by volcanoes
and also can be found in meteors that fall to earth! A few samples of
extraterrestrial peridot have even been faceted into
gems!
Peridot is the gem form of the mineral olivine. Because the
iron which creates the color is an integral part of its structure, it is
found only in green, ranging from a summery light yellowish green to a
7-up bottle green.
Care
Peridot is an excellent
choice for jewelry, but should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic or
steam cleaner.Use ionic cleaners and/or warm, soapy water and a soft
brush as the best way to clean Peridot.
Technical
Data
| Chemical Composition and Name |
(Mg, Fe)2 SiO4 |
| Hardness |
8 6.5 - 7.0 |
| Refractive Index |
1.65 - 1.69 |
| Specific Gravity |
3.32 - 3.35 |
| Crystalline System |
Orthorhombic |
