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PERIDOT: THE PERFECT SUMMER STONE

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PERIDOT: THE PERFECT SUMMER STONE

The History

Peridot forms deep inside the earth and was brought to the earth’s surface by volcanoes. Some of the earliest records of the stone can be found in the Bible; Roman historian Pliny also wrote about it around 50 AD. The first discovered source of this gem was on the Egyptian island Zagbargad and some historians believe that the Pharaohs appreciated this gem so much that they enslaved the residents of the island and made them mine the stone.

The Colour

The peridot is one of the few gemstones that come in one colour only. The rich, green colour with the slight tinge of gold is caused by very fine traces of iron. The intensity of the colour depends on the amount of iron actually present. The colour itself can vary over all shades of yellowish green and olive, and even to a brownish green but the vibrant lime green stones are the most popular. Peridot is not particularly hard but it is easy to look after and fairly robust.

The most beautiful stones come from the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the peridot gemstone also exists in Myanmar, China, the USA, Africa and Australia. Stones from East Burma, now known as Myanmar, are vivid light green. Peridot from Arizona, where it is popularly used in Native Americanjewellery, often has yellowish or gold-brown nuances.

On rare occasions the peridot gemstone has emanated from extraterrestrial sources. Meteorites containing peridot have fallen to Earth and sightings of the stone on Mars have made it the only gemstone known to form on another planet.

Often mistaken for emerald, peridot has long been called the ‘evening emerald’ since it glows with luminous intensity under artificial light. Its hypnotic hues have enticed many an admirer and some historians claim that Queen Cleopatra’s famous collection of emerald jewels may have actually been peridot.

A symbol of health and protection, peridot has been used as a talisman to ward against evil spirits and to dispel negative emotions particularly in matters of love.

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