Gem Profile- Peridot

by Judy Ellis

In a previous Gem Profile we discussed Basalt, that bland black rock that makes up magma and lava, as being the most common rock on the Earth and even found in space. This week we'll talk about the most common mineral that occurs in both places: Olivine - Peridot.

Olivine, an Important Mineral

Olivine is an olive-green magnesium-rich iron silicate.

It forms in low-silica magma at high temperatures and depths around 200 miles below Earth's surface.

Primary in igneous rock (magma within Earth) and metamorphic rock, it crystallizes in cooling basalt, revealing magma origins.

In kimberlite pipes, olivine indicates diamonds, signaling mantle origins with partial cooling before eruption.

Contains vast water more than surface oceans acting as "grease" for plate tectonics.

Magan Weid crafted polymer, patinaed, twisted copper wire stems with looped rivets and a peridot nugget "leaf bud."

The best-known Olivine: Peridot

Olivine names a rock family including tephroite, monticellite, forsterite, fayalite, dunite, and peridotite.

Peridotite may ring familiar, especially for August births.

Peridot denotes gem-quality olivine.

Peridot and olivine share the same mineral composition; peridot offers superior clarity for cutting, faceting, fewer inclusions, and more fire.

Peridot Tree of Life Pendant wrapped in sterling silver wire by Angelle McDougall.

How Peridot gets its Color
Peridot displays an olive-green color.

It also appears in lighter yellow-green or brownish-green shades.

Color arises from trace iron bonding with magnesium in its composition.

More iron yields darker, browner tones.

Bright olive green remains the most desired hue.

Peridot in History

Peridot has been mined and valued for clarity and fire for centuries.

Its name's origin is debated: possibly Anglo-Norman "pedoretes" (opal type), Arabic "fardat" (gem), or French "peritot" (unclear, due to inclusions).

Mined over 4,000 years, it appeared in biblical high priests' breastplates as "topaz" or "pitdah."

Cleopatra prized it; Pliny the Elder noted green stone mining on Zagbargad island around 1500 B.C.

Often mistaken for emeralds historically, it's dubbed "evening emerald" for brilliance in low light.

Jane Elizabeth Duke framed fire agate from Wirejewelry in Argentium and gold-filled wire, adding a peridot stone and fire agate bead to the orbit design.

Where is Peridot Found?

Peridot occurs on nearly every continent, mostly in basalt structures.

Key sites include Canary Islands, Sri Lanka, Vesuvius, Canada, Hawaii, Arizona, parts of Mexico, and others.

Most market peridot comes from hand-dug mines on Arizona's San Carlos reservation in weathered basalt.

Notable sources also include Myanmar, Tanzania, China, and Pakistan, site of a 300-carat peridot.

Where you can discover Peridot

Road trip starts in Arizona at Peridot Mesa on the San Carlos Reservation, east of Globe.

This primary world supplier hosts two mines; visit for history, then explore Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, and Arizona Meteor Crater.

Head to Kilbourne Hole in New Mexico for more peridot mining.

Fly to Hawaii's Big Island for Papakolea Beach-one of two green sand beaches worldwide.

Beach sand comprises beautiful peridot and olivine grains eroded from basalt; walk on gems while swimming.

Pack sunscreen everywhere; for the beach, wear hiking boots and hire a local guide for the tricky access.

Olivine names a mineral family; peridot, its gem form, prizes August births and Earth's composition.

Batya Morris created this gemstone necklace and earrings set with lemon quartz drops and peridot and quartz beads.

Gem Profile- Peridot

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