Gemstone Peridot
The peridot word comes from Greek word peridona, which means richness while in Europe it is known as chrysolite. The Peridot is olden gemstone and its history goes back to ancient Egypt, the color of peridot is light olive green to dark olive green. The color of this gemstone is dependent on iron concentration, which is present in it, the deep colors in Peridot make it more expensive than lighter colors. Once the peridot comes from an island near red sea in Egyptian, the peridot is milky in color and it is not a long lasting gemstone. It is soft than other gemstones and got scratch easily, it cannot resist against temperature and heat. Peridot cannot change its color with the changing of light from natural to artificial. The peridot is a very famous in past and even it was found in Egyptian jewelery of 2nd millennium BC , which were available in a tiny volcanic island of Red sea.
Peridot is considered less expensive or economical and its origin was Egypt. The peridot was popular among the elite classes, the peridot jewels was under the use of Cleopatra the then beautiful lady of Egypt. Peridot is a soft gemstone among others and it will get scratch when it hit hard stones and that is why it is used in earrings and necklaces. Peridot is sensitive to heat and temperature and due to high temperature it get cracks in it therefore it should be protected from the steam. It is best that take tape water and mild detergent for cleaning of this gemstone. Ancient Egyptians thought that the peridot is not visible in sunlight that is why it was mined at dark or night and it glows in dark and was easily seen by the mines-men. The peridot is famous because of its classic colors and shades while the green is most attractive and soft color.
Peridot Uses
The peridot is used in all form of jewelry just like rings, necklaces and bracelets. The peridot is available in small pieces and sometime it extract in large pieces. Peridot is worn for the health fitness, moreover it is used for near sightedness, ulcer and thyroid problems. In Roman era it was used in depression and spiritual enhancement and it was considered as health stability, protect from nerves disorders, liver disorders and healing properties in injuries. It is helpful in insomnia, digestion, temperature reducer and for eyesight.
Peridot Sources
Peridot is available in crystal form from the district Mogok Burma while there are other countries of the world those have the deposits of peridot like Australia, Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Norway, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and United States of America. However, peridot has been found in meteorites too.
Peridot Properties
Peridot green shade is due to the iron mixing in the stone, whenever we have deep color of peridot it mean that it is from more deep inside of the earth and having low amount of iron. The chemical formula of this gemstone is (Mg, Fe)2SiO4 and have lime green to light pale yellow color.The hardness of this gemstone is 6 to 7 on Mohs’ scale and its specific gravity 3.27-3.37. The chemical composition of this gemstone is silicate of magnesium and iron.
Peridot Verities
Peridot, which is combined with nickel and iron is called pallasites, peridot belong to the olivine variety. Olivine is not a genuine mineral and it is a blend of two important minerals fayalite and forsterite. Fayalite formula is Fe2SiO4 which has more iron contents and forsterite has Mg2SiO4 formula and it has more magnesium. Olivine’s formula is (Mg, Fe)2SiO4 and peridot is close to forsterite than fayalite. Peridot has an outstanding color when the percentage of iron is less than 15% and includes nickel and chromium. Nickel and chromium are the trace elements in this blend and these are responsible for color.
Peridot as Birthstone
Peridot is the birthstone of August.
General information about Gemstone Peridot
Chemical Composition: (Mg, Fe)2SiO4
Color: Light green, dark green, olive green, yellow.
Hardness on Mohs scale: 7
Mineral class: Olivine.
Transparency: Transparent.
Zodiac: Leo.