PERIDOT CRYSTALS (JEWELRY)

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.