DISCOVER LIFE'S PRECIOUS GEMS!

Welcome, August!

And thank you for your fabulous birthstone, “Peridot” …the 16^th wedding anniversary gemstone.

Happy Birthday to all of you proud and fabulous Leos..  You ROCK!

August is a warm and sunny month (in many parts of the world) and Peridot, its birthstone, has a warm and sunny persona.  Leos, who are ruled by the “sun,” are known for their sunny and warm dispositions.

No coincidences there!    ; > )

The Gem Maven loves peridot and can’t stop singing its praises, so very little information on this “stone” is going to be left unturned.  You may have to read this  L   O   N   G   blog in piece meal.

PERIDOT IS A STONE OF MANY DISTINCTIONS……..

Peridot is the only stone that comes almost exclusively in one color:  GREEN; yellowish green, olive green, brownish green, anything in between and very rarely brown.

Peridot has at least 3 different names (aka olivine and chrysolite) and two pronunciations (French and American).

Peridot has several nicknames ; “poor man’s emerald”, “gem of the sun” and “emerald of the evening.”

Peridot was originally discovered on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea off the coast of Southern Egypt .  This island has been known as Zagbargad, Zeberged (Arabic for “olivine”), Seberged, Topazios and St. John’s Island

Originally, peridot was called “topaz” after Topazios (aka Topazos), one of the names of the small island where it was first discovered. Those names came from the word “topazein” which means “to conjecture” because that shark infested island was difficult to find.

PRONUNCIATION OF PERIDOT……

In the 18^th century, the French were the first to name this gorgeous stone “peridot” which is why its correct pronunciation is “pare uh doe.”  Some prefer to call it by the American pronunciation ending of “dot.”  Further discussion on that will be avoided in this article.

EARLY HISTORY

This 4000 year old “iron magnesium silicate” stone was cherished by the Romans and Greeks as early as 3500 years ago.  Since then, the availability and popularity of peridot has surged and waned over the years.  Today, peridot is once again prevalent and popular.

Many of the beautiful “green emeralds” that Cleopatra had in her collection were believed to be peridot.

PERIDOT AND RELIGION……….

Peridot has played an instrumental part of religion.  In the Bible, it is referred to as “pitdah”, the Hebrew name for peridot or topaz.  During the 11^th, 12^th and 13^th centuries, the Crusaders brought peridot back to Europe.  As a result, many Catholic Churches (the Cologne Cathedral for one) were adorned and decorated with this special gem. The popularity of peridot peaked during the Baroque era of the 1600’s and gained a new resurgence and interest when it was again discovered in Pakistan in the 1990’s.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME PERIDOT…..

There is no definitive origin of the name “peridot.”  Some distinct possibilities can be …

The Arabic word faridat is “gem.”

The French word peritot means “unclear.”

The word “pedoretes”  is a kind of opal according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Olivine is the French word for Peridot.

Chrysolite (not to be confused with chrysotile which is a form of asbestos) is Greek for “golden stone” or “gold stone”. Chrysolite usually refers to a more pale green peridot.

PERIDOT OFTEN GROWS IN IGNEOUS ROCK…..

TWO TYPES OF OLIVINE PERIDOT – FAYALITE AND FORSTERITE…..

Peridot is the gemstone variety of “olivine” a group of iron and magnesium rich silicates composed of varying amounts of magnesium, iron, silicon and oxygen.  Two minerals which fall under the olivine category are fayalite and forsterite both found in igneous rock containing large amounts of iron and magnesium.

Fayalite (Fe2SiO4) contains iron.

Forsterite (Mg2SiO4) contains magnesium.

Since iron and magnesium are compatible and interchangeable metals which often grow together, it is often difficult to tell the two minerals apart.

MINING FOR PERIDOT….

Year ago, miners searched for peridot at night, marked their exact location and went back digging the next day. There are two theories behind the night searching.  1) The moonlight made it easier to see the green crystals.  2) The fiery green appearance of the peridot glowed with light even at night.

PERIDOT ALSO COMES FROM…..

Peridot is also believed to come from volcanic magma, so wherever you find peridot is a good indication that volcanic activity is nearby.  This explains peridot being found along the black sands of Hawaii.

Peridot can also form as basalt (igneous rock formed from hot magma below the ground which flows onto the surface and cools).  Basalt can also be found on our Moon, Mars and Venus.   The very hot magma can be responsible for its fiery green appearance.

Fayalite peridot has also been found in pallasite meteorites, an iron-nickel meteorite.

MAGNESIUM  AND  IRON  PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COLOR AND VALUE …

Fayalite has higher concentrations of iron which creates a darker and less desirable peridot.

The high magnesium content of forsterite produces what most people consider to be a more attractive and popular light green peridot.

Peridot with pure green coloring and no inclusions is considered the most valuable.  Any hint of brown diminishes the price. Experts say the finest peridot contains less than 15% iron and only minute amounts of chromium and nickel. More than 15% iron gives the peridot an overall dark “blackish green” color.

INCLUSIONS     APPEARANCE      SIZE       USE IN JEWELRY

The clearer peridot (fewer inclusions) is often cut and faceted into a round, oval or octahedron shape.  Peridot with more inclusions is often made into  cabochons, which are perfect for showing off its phenomenal shine.

When light is shone on peridot, its fiery brilliant green separates and bends the rays of light passing through it, giving it a glowing velvety appearance and oily luster.

Until recently, peridot was seldom seen larger than 3 carats, which is one reason why it has always been a popular stone for jewelry.

WHERE PERIDOT HAS BEEN FOUND…..

More recently, peridot has been discovered in Afghanistan, Antarctica, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, the Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma) , Norway, Pakistan, Saudia Arabia, Sri Lanki, Tanzania and the U.S. (Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico  and North Carolina).  Today, peridot has once again gained recognition and popularity.

Transparent olivine is usually found in the more arid areas like Arizona, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudia Arabia.  Peridot has a tendency to decay when it is subjected to humidity and rain of other areas.

CONFUSION WITH OTHER STONES……

Over the years, peridot has been confused with other green stones. ie: apatite, chrysoberyl, diopside, emerald, green garnet, moldavite, sapphire, green tourmaline and green zircon to name a few.

FOLKLORE AND LEGENDS ………….

Peridot was considered a symbol of individual strength, vitality, fame, persuasiveness, eloquence and successful relationships and marriages.  Peridot was believed to help dreams become a reality and bring growth in the future. It was used to ease angers and anxiety, calm high-strung individuals and cure nervous afflictions.

Egyptians believed that peridot would ward off all evil and evil spirits.

This green gem was used as a remedy for sinus problems and easing thirst brought on by high fevers.  Powdered peridot was used as an asthma cure.

It was believed that drinking from peridot cups would increase the strength of other medicinal remedies. Egyptian priests drank from peridot goblets because they believed it would bring them closer to their goddess of nature, Isis.

Pirates loved peridot because they considered peridot powerful protection from all evil.  They believed that those who wore peridot set in gold would be protected from having nightmares and other night fears.

HEALING PROPERTIES…

Peridot is a powerful tonic for our physical and mental well being.  Peridot is beneficial for our heart, lungs, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, liver, adrenals thymus glands, ulcers, eyes, metabolism and digestion.  This green gem heals and regenerates our tissues and is good for skin irritations.

Those ancient folk must have had a lot of wisdom because peridot does indeed ease anger, anxiety, stress, bad tempers, dehydration and high fevers. It’s also good for jealousy, resentment, spite, negativity, depression, obsessions and bi-polar issues.

There is no wondering why peridot is considered the “visionary” stone.  This beauty clears our mind, helps us see our mistakes, learn our lessons from them and move on.  It releases our past baggage and guilt from our subconscious and teaches us that old emotions are counterproductive.

Peridot helps both astrological signs which share the month of August.  Peridot teaches Leos self forgiveness, taking responsibility for their life and eases their bruised egos and pride.  Peridot helps Virgos get to the heart of the matter.  It can also help them increase their confidence and assertive behavior (something many Leos already have).  Also good for hypochondriacs.    : > 0

Did I mention that Peridot also increases intuition?

There is more to this very special crystal, however at 1552 words and it being August 2^nd already, it is time for this blog to get up.

WE HAVE THIS FABULOUS CRYSTAL IN STOCK….