Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color, an olive-green. The intensity and tint of the green, however, depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, so the color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow—to olive—to brownish-green. The most valued color is a dark olive-green. Olivine, of which peridot is a type, is a common mineral and it is often found in lavas. Peridot can be also found in meteorites. Olivine in general is a very abundant mineral, but gem quality peridot is rather rare. This is due to the mineral’s chemical instability on the Earth’s surface. Olivine is usually found as small grains, and tends to exist in a heavily weathered state, unsuitable for decorative use. Peridot olivine is mined in Arkansas, Arizona on the San Carlos Reservation, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico at Kilbourne Hole, in the US; and in Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar(Burma), Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
Pedro Da Silva
Manufacturing Jeweller
