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Mar 12, 2024 · Peridot has always been associated with light. In fact, the Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun.”. Some believed that it protected its owner from “terrors of the night,” especially when it was set in gold. Others strung the gems on donkey hair and tied them around their left arms to ward off evil spirits.
Peridot may not have the instant brand recognition of diamonds or rubies, but don't let that fool you. Peridot not only has a fascinating history, but its gorgeous green hue can also compete with any gem under the sun! Peridot is perhaps the only gemstone in the world that only occurs in one color - Olive Green.
- What Is Peridot?
- History
- Folklore
- Buying Peridot
Peridot is a gem-quality form of the mineral olivine. This material is also referred to as chrysolite. The gem is found primarily among rocks that were created by volcanoes and buried deep underground (igneous rocks), so wherever there are or were volcanoes, this mineral is likely to be found. Large quantities of peridot are mined from the San Carl...
Peridot is a French word that is derived from the Arabic word "faridat" meaning gem. The use of peridot in jewelry and other applications dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians from around 1500 B.C., making it one of the oldest gemstones. Egyptians referred to these green jewels as "gems of the sun." Back then the stones were mined on the Egypt...
Some of the myths and legends surrounding peridot include these: 1. In Hawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of Hele who is the goddess of fire and volcanoes. 2. Romans referred to peridot as "evening emerald" because unlike the deep hues of emeralds, peridot gemstones did not darken at night and still shimmered under candlelight. 3. Legend has it t...
Peridot, unlike most other gemstones, only comes in one color, pale green. There is a wide range of green shades that peridot exhibits, however, including olive green, lime green, yellowish green, and dark green. The most desirable shade of peridot is a deeply saturated forest green with a slight yellow tone and no brown tones. This color is more r...
People also ask
Where did Peridot jewelry come from?
Why is a peridot called a gem?
Why is Peridot a symbol of light?
Did Cleopatra have a Peridot jewel?
Ancient Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun,” believing it protected its wearer from terrors of the night. Some historians believe that Cleopatra’s famed emerald collection may have actually been peridot. Through medieval times, people continued to confuse these two green gemstones.
While actual lab-created peridots may still have no general commercial availability or economically viable jewelry use, you can find many peridot lookalikes or simulants on the market. In green colors, synthetic corundum and spinel gems, as well as cubic zirconia , may be passed off as peridots.
Gift of Mr. Paul Merkel in 2006. More than 3,000 years ago Egyptians fashioned beads from golden green crystals mined on an island in the Red Sea. Known to the Greeks and Romans as Topazios, this island off the coast of Egypt was one of the most important sources for fine peridot, the gem variety of the mineral forsterite.
Ancient Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun,” believing it protected its wearer from terrors of the night. Some historians believe that Cleopatra’s famed emerald collection may have actually been peridot. Through medieval times, people continued to confuse these two green gemstones.