PERIDOT : Also called OLIVINE, this stone has been known for a very long time. The ancients spoke of a gem called 'Topazos', as it was then called, because it came from an island in Red Sea named Topazos. The gemstone is actually known under three names: Peridot, Chrysolith (derived from the Greek word “goldstone”) and Olivin, because Peridot is the gemstone variety of the Olivin mineral. In the gemstone trade it is generally called Peridot, a name derived from the Greek “Peridona”, meaning something like “giving plenty”. Peridot is one of the few gemstones which exist only in one colour. Much appreciated in the past, this gem is a victim of changing fashions. It is also used in large quantity in making Jewellery.

The vivid, slightly golden shimmering green of Peridot is the ideal gemstone colour to complement a light summertime outfit. Peridot is an ancient and yet currently very popular gemstone.

It is so old that it can be found even in Egyptian jewellery from the early second millennium BC. The stones used in those days came from an occurrence on a little volcanic island in the Red Sea, about 70 km off the Egyptian coast, off Assuan, which was rediscovered only around 1900 and has been completely exploited since. Peridot, however, is also a very modern stone, for only a few years ago Peridot occurrences were discovered in the Cashmere region, and the stones from there show a unique beauty of colour and transparency, so that the image of the stone, which was somewhat dulled over the ages, has received an efficient polishing.

Appearance : Typically olive green, olivine can be a strong, almost bottle green, or yellowish green. Gems of several carats are often seen, but very large stones are hardly ever found. The particular colour and lustre of the gem are highly characteristic. Much appreciated in the past, this gem is a victim of changing fashions.

Occurrence : The occurrence of this gemstone is found in Burma, China, Pakistan, U.S.A and Red Sea.

Substitute : Coloured Glass, Synthetic Corundum, Synthetic Spinel.

Chemical Composition : MAGNESIUM IRON SILICATE.