Peridot was named by the Eqyptians as “the stone of the sun” and had folklore powers to protect from dark forces and evils of the night. It is one of the few gemstones that has only one color- olive-green. Derived from the mineral olivine, Peridot develops in extreme conditions in the Earth’s mantle, pushed to the surface by lava, and has even come to Earth in meteorites.

Facts about Peridot:

• Peridot is one of three birthstones for August and the anniversary stone for the 16th year.
• Throughout history, peridot has been mistaken for emerald and topaz.
• In 2005, a robotic space probe retrieved peridot from a comet’s stardust.
• Most of the world’s source of Peridot comes from Arizona, in addition to China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Vietnam.
• Peridot Beach in Hawaii glows green due to peridot in the sand.
• Mohs harness level: 6.5-7
• Care: Peridot can be cleaned with warm, soapy water and a soft toothbrush. A ultra-sonic cleaner is not recommended and peridot can be harmed by acids (even prolonged exposure to sweat) or abrupt temperature changes.
• Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄
• Source: GIA.edu, AmericanGemSociety.org