Peridot
A Refreshing Shade of Green
Some people believe that gemstones have healing properties. The ancients certainly agreed and August’s birthstone, Peridot, was credited in medieval times with curing depression and opening the heart emotionally to new experiences, new loves, and new opportunities.
The origin of the name “Peridot” is under dispute with some claiming the name to be a frenchified derivation from the Arabic word for gem faridat. Others believe the word to have Anglo-Norman origins from the word pedoretés - a kind of opal. In the past, Chrysolite, an older word of German origin, was used to describe these gems before “Peridot” was applied to all gemstone quality Olivine stones in the late 18th century.
Ethereal Existence
Peridot has long been known to exist in outer space. Peridotite with Peridot crystals have been discovered all over the globe in meteorite fragments. Some ancient civilizations like the ancient Egyptians, referred to this stunning gem as the "gem of the sun" believing it to have fallen from the sky and that they were capable of harnessing the power of nature. Archeologists believe that the falling of meteorites was witnessed by the Ancient Egyptians in which they found fragments of the gem for the first time. Imagine their awe when they discovered the exact same gem in their mines too!
Peridot is a kind of olivine crystal formed in molten peridotite rock in the Earth’s upper mantle rather than the Earth’s crust where most other gemstones originate. In fact, except for Diamonds, Peridot is the only gemstone that forms this deep under the Earth’s surface. This means that Peridot gemstones are some of the oldest known gems in the world.
Peridot is chemically constructed out of olivine, silicate, magnesium and iron with a chemical formula of (MG, Fe)2SiO4. This unique gem is one of only a few precious stones that only occur naturally in only one colour - olive green. The intensity and tint of the green is determined by the amount of iron present in the crystal structure and lighter coloured gems can appear yellow under bright lights.
How to Care for your peridot
With peridot, care is particularly important as they are more delicate than other stones. Treat your peridot jewellery like you treat your most expensive high heeled shoes. Make it the last thing you put on when you leave the house and the first thing you take off when you return home. If possible, only wear it occasionally, we recommend that you do not wear your jewellery while sleeping, showering, swimming or during extreme physical activity. Avoid contact with body care products and harsh chemicals including perfumes, hairspray, lotions and household cleaning products.
How to clean your peridot Jewellery
At Home - use warm, soapy water coupled with a gentle toothbrush is the safest way to clean peridot. Be careful not to use strong detergents or vigorous scrubbing especially on treated stones. Alternatively, you can bring your peridot jewellery in store for a complimentary clean or let our jeweller revive it to it's former glory with a professional clean, polish and check for a small fee.
Where are they sourced?
Peridot are mined across the globe in the USA, South America, Australia, Myanmar, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Russia, South Africa and many more! The most famous peridot mines are those in Egypt where this gem was first discovered on a mysterious snake infested island known as Topazios Island (Now Zabargad or St. John's Island) around 1500BC. For several centuries the whereabouts of this island was unknown and it was speculated to be fictional to mislead those trying to find Egypts treasure until 1905, when the island was rediscovered, shrouded in an impenetrable thick fog. It was said that mining happened day and night as the peridot glowed in the lamp light of the miners further lending to the myth that the gems of the sun radiated the power of nature.
Hardness - Emeralds are rated a 6.5-7 out of 10 on Mohs Hardness Scale
Can you wear peridot as an engagement ring centre stone?
Technically you can, however, this is a less popular option due to the softness of the stone which means that thay can scratch and get damaged easily. We recommend that the peridot is better suited to pieces to be worn less frequently such as special occasions.
Any Questions?
Please email us at hello@senseandwonder.co.nz and we would be happy to answer them for you!
Some people believe that gemstones have healing properties. The ancients certainly agreed and August’s birthstone, Peridot, was credited in medieval times with curing depression and opening the heart emotionally to new experiences, new loves, and new opportunities.
The origin of the name “Peridot” is under dispute with some claiming the name to be a frenchified derivation from the Arabic word for gem faridat. Others believe the word to have Anglo-Norman origins from the word pedoretés - a kind of opal. In the past, Chrysolite, an older word of German origin, was used to describe these gems before “Peridot” was applied to all gemstone quality Olivine stones in the late 18th century.
Ethereal Existence
Peridot has long been known to exist in outer space. Peridotite with Peridot crystals have been discovered all over the globe in meteorite fragments. Some ancient civilizations like the ancient Egyptians, referred to this stunning gem as the "gem of the sun" believing it to have fallen from the sky and that they were capable of harnessing the power of nature. Archeologists believe that the falling of meteorites was witnessed by the Ancient Egyptians in which they found fragments of the gem for the first time. Imagine their awe when they discovered the exact same gem in their mines too!
Peridot is a kind of olivine crystal formed in molten peridotite rock in the Earth’s upper mantle rather than the Earth’s crust where most other gemstones originate. In fact, except for Diamonds, Peridot is the only gemstone that forms this deep under the Earth’s surface. This means that Peridot gemstones are some of the oldest known gems in the world.
Peridot is chemically constructed out of olivine, silicate, magnesium and iron with a chemical formula of (MG, Fe)2SiO4. This unique gem is one of only a few precious stones that only occur naturally in only one colour - olive green. The intensity and tint of the green is determined by the amount of iron present in the crystal structure and lighter coloured gems can appear yellow under bright lights.
How to Care for your peridot
With peridot, care is particularly important as they are more delicate than other stones. Treat your peridot jewellery like you treat your most expensive high heeled shoes. Make it the last thing you put on when you leave the house and the first thing you take off when you return home. If possible, only wear it occasionally, we recommend that you do not wear your jewellery while sleeping, showering, swimming or during extreme physical activity. Avoid contact with body care products and harsh chemicals including perfumes, hairspray, lotions and household cleaning products.
How to clean your peridot Jewellery
At Home - use warm, soapy water coupled with a gentle toothbrush is the safest way to clean peridot. Be careful not to use strong detergents or vigorous scrubbing especially on treated stones. Alternatively, you can bring your peridot jewellery in store for a complimentary clean or let our jeweller revive it to it's former glory with a professional clean, polish and check for a small fee.
Where are they sourced?
Peridot are mined across the globe in the USA, South America, Australia, Myanmar, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Russia, South Africa and many more! The most famous peridot mines are those in Egypt where this gem was first discovered on a mysterious snake infested island known as Topazios Island (Now Zabargad or St. John's Island) around 1500BC. For several centuries the whereabouts of this island was unknown and it was speculated to be fictional to mislead those trying to find Egypts treasure until 1905, when the island was rediscovered, shrouded in an impenetrable thick fog. It was said that mining happened day and night as the peridot glowed in the lamp light of the miners further lending to the myth that the gems of the sun radiated the power of nature.
Hardness - Emeralds are rated a 6.5-7 out of 10 on Mohs Hardness Scale
Can you wear peridot as an engagement ring centre stone?
Technically you can, however, this is a less popular option due to the softness of the stone which means that thay can scratch and get damaged easily. We recommend that the peridot is better suited to pieces to be worn less frequently such as special occasions.
Any Questions?
Please email us at hello@senseandwonder.co.nz and we would be happy to answer them for you!
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