GEMSTONE GUIDES

Peridot, a striking gemstone with hues ranging from olive to vibrant lime green, is a product of the Earth's mantle, formed under intense heat and pressure. Comprised mainly of the mineral olivine, peridot owes its captivating colour to the presence of iron within its crystal structure. Ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians esteemed peridot for its perceived powers of prosperity and protection.

There's some debate about the pronunciation of "peridot," with some saying "perr-eh-dot" and others favoring "perr-eh-dow." Here at Jessica Flinn, we use the latter pronunciation, but ultimately, it's a matter of personal preference since there's no definitive answer!

As a symbol of abundance and prosperity, it is believed to bring good luck, success, and happiness to the wearer. Additionally, peridot is associated with healing properties, both physically and emotionally, promoting balance, renewal, and growth. Its green colour is also linked to nature and the environment, symbolising freshness, vitality, and harmony with the natural world. Peridot is also sometimes considered a stone of protection, warding off negative energy and enhancing positive vibrations.

Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August. It is believed to bring luck, prosperity, and happiness to those born in this month.

Overall, peridot is thought of as one of the cheaper gemstones, compared to gems such as diamonds, sapphires and rubies. But as always, the price of a gemstone is also effected by factors such as carat, cut, colour and clarity, so the larger, clearer and more vivid in colour the stone is, the higher price it will command.

Lab grown peridot, also known as synthetic or cultured peridot, is created in laboratories using advanced techniques that replicate the natural formation process of peridot. Synthetic peridot holds the exact same chemical and visual characteristics as mined peridot. 

Lab grown peridot also gives the assurance of consistent quality, larger sized gemstones, control over colour and saturation and also ensures a reduced environmental impact compared to traditional mining methods. Lab grown gemstones are also a more ethical choice as they eliminate the possible social issues associated with mining. Read our Ethical Pledge to find out more about how we operate on an ethical level.

Peridot has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Which means it falls into the range of moderately to relatively hard gemstones. Peridot isn't as strong as gemstones such as sapphires and diamonds, meaning it needs to be handled with extra care to avoid scratching or chipping.

While peridot is relatively durable, it is not completely scratch-resistant. Therefore, it's important to handle peridot jewellery with care and avoid activities that could potentially cause scratches, such as wearing it during rigorous physical activities or storing it with other jewellery that could potentially scratch it.

Peridot is considered a fairly common gemstone compared to gems such as mined diamonds or sapphires. However, if you are looking for a specific size, colour or clarity this can make your search for the perfect peridot harder.

Peridot can be found in locations all over the world, with notable locations including The United States, particularly Arizona and Hawaii, with the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona being a prominent mining location for Peridot. Other locations include Egypt's Red Sea island, Zabargad, Pakistan and China.

Each location is known for its individual characteristics, such as vibrant lime and olive colours in the USA, dark greens in Egypt, yellowish green tones in Pakistan bright greens in China.

Peridot is known for its enchanting green colour and ranges from light, vibrant lime greens to deep, earthy olive greens. Peridot gemstones may display undertones of yellow or brown adding depth and complexity to their coloration! Their range in hues and shades make them a perfect choice for jewellery.

Because peridot ranks at 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale, it requires delicate care to maintain its beauty and integrity. It's crucial to avoid exposing peridot jewellery to harsh chemicals, so remember to remove it before cleaning, showering, or swimming in chlorinated pools. Additionally, regular and gentle cleaning is essential to ensure your peridot jewellery lasts a lifetime. You can safely clean your peridot pieces using a soft-bristled toothbrush (such as a baby toothbrush) and mild soapy water. 

For extra care and maintenance, consider booking our Repair and Refresh service, where our experienced gemstone experts can provide your jewellery with the tender loving care it deserves!