Peridot has enjoyed a recent rise in popularity. Fortunately, this increase in demand has been offset by increased production, especially from the fertile mesa of the San Carlos Apache reservation.
Peridot is a clean stone, the darker the green the better the stone. Some peridot can be very light and almost lime green, and thus is not highly regarded. And while peridot most always has an olive tone -- it's the gem variety of the mineral olivine -- look for stones that aren't overwhelmingly olivey. And as with all faceted gemstones, the cut should produce an even fire -- no large dark patches when you look directly down on the table. You should also ask to observe the stone in both incandescent and fluorescent lighting to get an idea of how the color and fire will change when you wear your jewelry under those lighting sources. Don't expect to find much large material from Arizona, most of the San Carlos production is under 3 carats. Chinese material is large but the color is usually inferior to specimens from Pakistan -- which currently produces the finest large quantities of peridot. Burma still produces incredibly stunning, large (30 carats and up) stones, but these are mainly collector's items as production is unreliable and accessible to a handful of connected gem traders.
Peridot is occasionally treated with colorless oil, wax, natural and synthetic unhardened resins into voids to improve appearance. Surface fractures are sometimes filled with a colorless hardened substance. These treatments should be stable if done properly.
Peridots are the birthstone for those born in August
The birthstone for the month of August is considered to be the lovely green gemstone, the peridot. Peridot is a semi-precious gemstone that is usually found in wonderful hues of translucent greens. It is also considered the gemstone for the 3rd and 16th anniversaries as well as the stone for the Zodiac Sign Libra. This gemstones is one of the few that comes in basically one color - green. There are varying shades from yellow green through to brownish green. The most valuable color is a dark olive green.
As with all gemstones, Peridot has some specific healing powers attributed to it. It is said to clear the heart chakra. It strengthens breathing, promotes prosperity, growth, and openness. It was used by Egyptians, Aztecs, and Incas to gently cleanse and heal the physical heart. Yellower gems also aid in problems of the stomach, liver and adrenal glands. Peridot helps wearers understand relationships, and other realities, alleviates depression, anger, fear, jealousy and anxiety.
The largest cut peridot weighs 310 carats and was found in the island of Zabargad in Egypt. It is now on display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., keeping company with the Hope diamond.
info credit:
http://www.myjewelz.com/peridot.asp
http://vintagejewelrylane.com/information/birthstones.htm
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Peridot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Peridot is gem-quality forsteritic olivine. Contents. 1 Chemistry; 2 Etymology; 3 Appearance; 4 In culture. 4.1 Confusion with other gems. 5 Occurrence ...
Chemistry - Etymology - Appearance - In culture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peridot
Peridot - english
The vivid green of the peridot, with just a slight hint of gold, is the ideal gemstone colour to go with that light summer wardrobe. No wonder – since the ...
http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/peridot.html
PERIDOT a gemstone variety of olivine
Gem quality peridot comes from the ancient source of Zagbargad (Zebirget) Island in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt; Mogok, Myanmar (formerly known as ...
http://www.galleries.com/minerals/gemstone/peridot/peridot.htm
