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Aug 18, 2016 · Our in-depth history of peridots looks at the intriguing story behind this enigmatic glowing green gemstone and reveals which are the zestiest gems to buy now. Forgotten for decades, the peridot was once one of the most prized gems on earth but today its lemony-green glow is in the limelight again.
Peridot History and Lore. This 146.10-carat peridot is in the collection of the Natural History Museum in London. 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.
An estimated 80 to 95 percent of the world’s peridot supply is found here. Thanks to these rich gemstone deposits, the modern demand for peridots can now be easily met, giving people born in August affordable options for wearing this beautiful green birthstone.
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- 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...
Jul 21, 2020 · Apothecary shops kept the gemstone in powdered form to use as an antidote to insomnia, bleeding, madness, and nightmares. It was also believed to help with a range of other things, from improving memory to easing labor and birth. For thousands of years, peridot beads and talismans were worn for protection and to promote love, happiness, and wealth.
Jul 31, 2020 · Despite its history as one of the world's oldest gemstones and its connection to ancient Egypt (it is honored as the country's national gemstone), peridots are now known more for their birthstone status, representing August. Peridots are one of the few stones that are only found in a single hue.
Aug 2, 2020 · Peridot is formed in magma of the upper mantel of the earth. About 20-55 miles deep! Volcanoes did us the service of bringing them up to where we could find them. Some peridot gems also came to earth in meteorites, however this form is very rare and not likely to be sold in jewelry stores.