Peridot

Peridot is the transparent, gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine. It is one of the few gems that comes in essentially a single colour — a distinctive yellow-green to olive-green — with the most vivid greens in iron-poor crystals.

Identifying peridot

Peridot is moderately hard (6.5–7), with a glassy lustre and a strong doubling of back facets under magnification (high birefringence). Its lively yellow-green colour, unchanging under different light, is characteristic. It forms in mantle-derived basalts and peridotites and even in some pallasite meteorites.

Where it is found

Historic and modern sources include the island of Zabargad in the Red Sea, the Sapat valley of Pakistan, San Carlos in Arizona, Myanmar and China. Large, clean crystals from Pakistan are especially prized.

For collectors

Saturated green colour, transparency and crystal size drive value; sharp gemmy crystals on matrix and faceted stones are both sought after.