What exactly is the peridot stone? Peridot has been used as an ornamental gemstone for thousands of years and has long been appreciated by ancient cultures around the world. Its name comes from the French word peritot, which means precious stone, although it wasn’t officially named peridot until the late 1700s.
One fact that you may not know about this shiny green stone is that it was recently discovered to be an olivine-rich rock and thus has been attributed with new characteristics and uses.
The History of Peridot Gemstone
Peridot is a gemstone with a long history. References to peridot appear in some of the earliest written records of human civilization. It has been discovered in tombs dating back more than 5,000 years, and it was thought to hold powerful magical powers. In fact, King Tutankhamun’s golden burial mask features an image of a falcon made from peridot gemstones!
Not only does peridot have historical significance—it also has unique physical properties that make it a fascinating stone for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike. Below you’ll find some information about its characteristics and what makes peridot so special.
The Geology of Peridot
Just like every other gemstone, peridot is a variety of mineral with specific properties and composition. Geologists classify it as olivine, which is a type of magnesium-iron silicate. The color and chemical make-up of peridot has led to a wide range of uses over time. It was thought to cure disease, ward off evil spirits, and make warriors unbeatable on battlefields in ancient times.
In modern times, more careful research has shown that it’s not necessarily any more powerful than other gemstones—it just looks pretty amazing if you’re into yellow rocks.
Physical Properties of Peridot
Peridot is a form of olivine, one of only two minerals that can be found in nature with an olive-green hue. The other is tourmaline. People have been cutting and polishing peridot into gems for over 6,000 years. The Egyptians mined it as early as 1500 BC, and set them in jewelry to symbolize wealth.
Chemical Properties of Peridot
Peridot is a gemstone that comes in a variety of shades, but it is most commonly yellow-green in color. It’s considered to be an olivine variety and is part of the forsterite mineral family. It’s composition also includes magnesium, iron, silicon and oxygen. The chemical formula for peridot is (Mg 2 )SiO 4 .
Occurrence, Formation, and Harvesting
It’s possible to find peridot in various locations around Earth; however, most stones are found in Hawaii, Myanmar (Burma), Norway, and Pakistan. The stones from each of these locales contain unique characteristics, such as color or clarity. Each is also shaped differently and has a different value depending on size, quality and cut. Experts estimate that Myanmar produces 90% of all natural peridots, with smaller deposits also located in Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Mining, Grading, and Finishing
Is it worth a lot or a little? Here’s how it got to be prized. The peridot derives its name from its place of origin: Péridot, located in Zagora, Morocco.
It can also be found in Brazil and China. Peridot has been used since ancient times for jewelry, amulets, seals, and other objects. In fact, Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was buried with a large green peridot embedded in his chest ornamentation—and when he was unearthed by Howard Carter in 1922, it became clear just how much people valued their peridots at that time.
Trade and Popularity
While peridot has been mined for more than two thousand years, it remains popular today. Even though natural peridot is extremely rare, there are enough mines in Arizona and Pakistan to keep its value at a stable rate. It’s also incredibly durable so it won’t chip or crack if accidentally hit.
Today, most peridots are synthetic, but they still have enough sparkle to win over most of their fans. The only place where you’ll see better quality and larger specimens is in museums! When it comes to value and popularity, peridots rank with sapphires and emeralds. They’re quite valuable if they display great clarity; however, top-quality stones can cost thousands of dollars each!
Personal Experiences With This Gemstone
While I haven’t used peridot to increase my energy levels or focus, other people claim it has helped them. I have worn and meditated with it but found that while it did make me feel better (less stressed) and more at peace (less anxious), it didn’t do anything for my concentration levels or energy.
However, many people say they notice an increase in their motivation and productivity when wearing peridot jewelry. If you’re seeking a stone to help you focus or increase your motivation level, especially if you suffer from ADD/ADHD, then consider purchasing some peridot gemstones to see if they work for you. You might also try taping a small piece of green paper over your computer screen.
People who wear peridot report finding that it helps them concentrate on what they are doing much easier than without it. Just remember to remove it once you finish working so as not to be distracte by its color. This is one way to test whether or not peridot will work for you without having to purchase a large amount of jewelry made from it first.
