Peridot Crystals For Sale

Peridot, sometimes also known as chrysolite, is the gem-quality, olive-green variety of the mineral olivine. It is one of only two gems observed to be formed not in the Earth’s crust, but in molten rock of the upper mantle. While olivine is abundant, gemmy peridot is rare to find on Earth's surface since it is susceptible to weathering during transportation from deep within the mantle to the Earth's surface. The largest source of peridot in the is the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona, but some of the highest quality gem-grade material comes from Pakistan and Myanmar. It is also commonly found in some types of meteorites. Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August and has frequently been confused for emerald in the past.

Large Green Peridot Crystal with Ludwigite Inclusions - Pakistan #266975

1.7" Large Green Peridot Crystal with Ludwigite Inclusions - Pakistan

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What Is Peridot?

Peridot is the gem variety of the magnesium iron silicate mineral series known as olivine. While always green, the intensity of color can vary widely depending on the amount of magnesium present during formation. Stubby, orthorhombic peridot crystals range in color from yellow to olive and brownish green depending on the amount of iron present during formation. A general rule of thumb: the more iron, the darker the green. Deep olive green-colored peridot gems with bright yellow translucency drive collectors wild!

This gem has always been a prominent feature of jewelry well into ancient times: peridot adorned Egyptian jewelry and the daggers of crusaders. People born in August should consider themselves lucky to have peridot as their birthstone: the flashy green mineral makes an excellent display piece and is fun to show off.

How Does Peridot Form?

Only two minerals are known to form in the Earth’s upper mantle, and peridot is one of them. Within the mantle, peridot forms in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks like basalt, and is moved to the surface by volcanic activity. Peridot has also been observed in pallasite meteorites and volcanic bombs, though this material is very small and not of gem quality.

Where Is Peridot Found?

The first known peridot mine was on Egypt's island of St. John in the Red Sea. This island was claimed by ancient Egyptians who forced the native population to mine peridot for the pharaohs. For a long time, this was the primary locality of olivine until the mine was completely exhausted. Currently, the bulk of the world’s peridot supply is mined in
Arizona, but the finest specimens hail from Pakistan, China, and Myanmar. These mines produce the highly prized dark green specimens that collectors strive for. Pakistan produces extremely large and almost completely flawless specimens. One mine in Pakistan has produced some truly humongous specimens, the largest weighing 300 carats!

Common Associations

Peridot and other olivines can be found associated with minerals such as chromite, pyrope garnets, magnetite, serpentine, and feldspars. However, given peridot’s location of formation, it most often appears by itself on a basalt matrix. Peridot will occasionally have garnet or trace silicate mineral inclusions.

PERIDOT CRYSTALS FOR SALE

What Is Peridot?

How Does Peridot Form?

Where Is Peridot Found?

Common Associations