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| Natural Peridot Overview: | |
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Peridot ranges in color
from yellow green to olive green. Peridot is not one of the hardest
of gemstones and can be scratched if it is subjected to frequent impact
and abrasion. Peridot is typically not treated. Our Peridot is obtained from exclusively from Myanmar (Burma). |
| Legend and Lore: | |
| Peridot was mined in ancient Egypt
on an island called Zeberget. The mining was done at night because
legend thought that Peridot could not be easily seen during the day.
The Romans called Peridot "evening Emerald," since its green color did not darken at night but was still visible by lamplight. Peridot later was also often used to decorate medieval churches and probably carried back to Europe by the Crusaders. Large Peridots, more than 200 carats in size, adorn the shrine of the three magi at the Cologne Cathedral. Peridot was said to have had the power to drive away evil spirits and the power was considered to be even more intense when the stone was set in gold. |
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| Physical Properties: | |
Color:
|
Yellow Green to Green |
Refractive Index:
|
1.654 - 1.690 (+/- 0.020) |
Pleochroism:
|
Weak Yellow Green and Green |
Chemistry:
|
Magnesium Iron Silicate |
Hardness:
|
6.5 to 7.0 |
Density:
|
3.34 (+0.14, -0.07) |
Crystal Group:
|
Orthorhombic |
Occurrence:
|
Africa, Asia, Europe, United States |
