Peridot .....An Ancient Green Symphony

Peridot is not only born of fire here on earth, but it has also arrived to Earth from outer space. Although many different gems can be found in meteorites that have fallen to earth, peridot is the only one that is found in a large enough size to make jewellery from. In 1749, a meteorite landed in a desolate area of Siberia. It was found to contain many pieces of peridot crystals large enough to be set into peridot jewellery.

Peridot is a well-known ancient gemstone; with jewellery pieces dating all the way back to the Pharaohs in Egypt. The gem variety of the mineral Olivine, it makes a lovely light green to olive-green gemstone.

Peridot is named after the French word peritot, meaning gold, because the mineral can vary towards this colour. It is the birthstone for the month of August. It is also the stone given to celebrate the 16th year of marriage. 

Peridot is the National gem of Egypt. Ancient Egyptians knew it as "the gem of the sun" and has a very long written history. Ancient papyri record the mining of these stones as early as 1500 BC. In Ancient times, peridot stones were used for carved talismans. 

 Peridot was mined for over 3,500 years on Zabargad or St John's Island in the Red Sea that is often shrouded in fog, making it difficult for ancient navigators to find. The location has been lost in fact, for several centuries, and was rediscovered in about 1905. Island habitants were forced to collect the gems for the Pharaoh's treasury.  

In the 19th Century, the mines on Zabargad Island produced millions of dollars worth of peridot. After 1905, production of the gems peaked, but by the late 1930's it tapered off to practically nothing and reached a virtual standstill in 1958, when the mines were nationalized. Although parcels of St. Johns peridot still come into the market once in a while, it is not known whether it is new or old. Most assume it is old.

A few jewellery historians are now convinced that some, or possibly all of the emeralds Cleopatra was famous for wearing, were not actually emeralds, but Peridot from Egypt. This emerald-looking shade of green has sparkled in the thrones, crowns and sceptres of the kings and queens of the Ancient World. 

One famous large peridot gem adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in the cathedral at Cologne was for centuries, believed to be an emerald, and only identified as peridot late in the last century

Peridot has long been called "an Evening Emerald," for under artificial light, the stone glows a brilliant green. Peridot is similar to the emerald but softer in intensity. Peridot of two or three carats is expensive, and a fine eight-carat stone is extremely rare. Any stones beyond eight carats are collectors or museum pieces. 

Most of the peridot mined today comes from China, Pakistan, and Arizona and the gems that are found are mostly less than 3 carats. Two of the finest peridot collections in the world can be found at the Field Museum in Chicago, and the Museum of Natural History in New York.

Known for its stunning green hues, peridot is one of the only gemstones to be found in a single colour. Most stones can be found in a variety of different colours and can often range from light pink to blue, but peridot boasts the everlasting elegance of green. 

Peridot's green hue can range from the rich green of the sea to the lighter colour of a freshly fallen leaf. The radiant deep olive green colour of this gemstone sets it apart from most gems.  

Peridot can be combined with diamonds, topaz, or rubies to make a stunning piece of jewellery in a dual colour spectrum. 

Peridot can be cast as a ring, earrings, bracelets or an entire ensemble; fit for either a Queen or a Bride!