Peridot stone is a magnesium iron silicate mineral that forms at high temperatures and low pressures inside the Earth. The resulting olivine has a unique structure that gives peridots their characteristic yellowish-green colour.

Peridots are relatively rare compared to other gemstones, but they have been popular throughout history as decorative pieces for jewellery or ornamentation. Peridots are an important part of Egyptian mythology, which they considered it the Gem of the Sun God. 

The ancient Romans believed that peridots kept evil spirits away from their children and used them as talismans to ward off evil. Peridot jewellery has been worn by Catholic popes and other religious leaders for centuries as a symbol of purity and faithfulness.

Peridot is the birthstone for August and green is the colour of vitality and hope. It was also thought to be a symbol of youth, innocence and purity. Buy a Peridot Stone necklace or ring can be an excellent gift for someone who is graduating from college, entering into a new career or starting a family.

But, first, you should understand the different types of this gemstone and how are they formed. So, here it is:

Types of Peridot

Peridot has many different names, including olivine and chrysolite. It can be found in a variety of colours, from brown to yellow-green, green to olive green or even dark green. Buy certified gemstones online from a reputable place like GemPundit.

Olivine

It is the most common type of peridot, and it’s typically found in volcanic rocks. It can be a green colour with brownish or yellowish tints, which is why it’s sometimes called olive peridot. Olivine is the most common peridot variety and has the best clarity and transparency.

Chrysolite

Chrysolite is a type of peridot that has a medium green colour with a slight yellow tinge. This colour can range from light to dark green depending on how much iron there is in it. Chrysolite peridot is rarer than olive varieties, which means it’s harder to find and more expensive.

The most valuable peridots are transparent with a bright, vivid colour that is completely natural without any treatment. 

How Are Peridots Formed

Peridot forms when iron and magnesium are exposed to high temperatures and pressure inside the Earth’s mantle, which is the layer of hot rock below the crust. The mantle contains minerals that have high water content, so they form peridot when they melt during volcanic eruptions. 

These rocks can travel to the surface through a volcano and cool down into crystals or remain underground and continue to grow for millions of years. The colour of the peridot and its clarity depends on the amount of iron and magnesium in the crystal. The more iron and magnesium it has the darker it will be. Most peridots have a green body tone with a hint of yellow or brown, but some contain traces of red or blue that can make them look like precious gems.

Peridot is a very durable gemstone, so it’s not susceptible to scratching or breaking. It’s also extremely hard, making it difficult to damage with everyday wear and tear. 

Where Are Peridots Found?

Peridot is found in volcanic regions around the world. It’s usually found in small quantities, so it’s not very common and hard to find. The largest peridot crystals ever discovered were in Arizona, the United States and Brazil. Here are some of the most popular places to find peridot:

Large-Scale Peridot Deposits

You may have heard that a large peridot deposit is found in the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona. While this is true, there are other places where you can find large scale deposits of peridot gemstones. 

If you are looking to purchase a natural peridot gemstone then it would be wise to purchase one from one of these locations. However, if you are looking for the best quality gemstones then your best option would be an Arizona or Hawaii-sourced stone since they tend to be cut into larger sizes than Pakistani ones.

Small Scale Peridot Deposits

Peridot is also found in small deposits, but these are rare than large-scale ones. These deposits have been found in the Mauna Loa Volcano in Hawaii, in the metamorphic rocks of Pakistan and Myanmar, and in the mantle of the Earth. It can be brought to the surface through volcanic eruptions. Magma that formed peridot has been found inside fossilized meteorites as well.

Non-Volcanic Peridot Deposits

Peridot can also be found in non-volcanic deposits. These deposits are usually associated with mid-ocean ridges, but they have been known to form in kimberlite pipes, carbonatite intrusions, and igneous intrusions. 

It is a beautiful and rare example of a peridot that formed within a serpentine rock. The serpentine has been altered by weathering, which has given it the green colouration you see here. You can also see some white calcite crystals growing within the serpentine rock.

Peridot is a gemstone that has been in use since ancient times. It is an attractive stone that can be found in many different colours, from clear to yellowish-green. Be sure to look for quality when purchasing this gem, because there are many imitations out there that will look nothing like the real thing.