Outline
August's captivating birthstone, peridot, has been appreciated for its beauty since antiquity. This gem is created deep under the earth's mantle and is a variation of the mineral olivine. Volcanic action brings it to the surface. Peridots have also been discovered in pallasite meteorites, which contain traces of our solar system's genesis, as exciting as that may sound.
Because of the thrilling color it produces when placed in natural daylight, the ancient Egyptians gave it the name "jewel of the sun." It was also said to be one of Cleopatra's favorite gemstones, with some accounts claiming that some of the emeralds she wore were actually peridots.
Legend has it that locating a peridot during the day was difficult. The gleaming green tint of this diamond, on the other hand, could be seen at night with the use of a lamp. After a while, it became customary to mine for peridots exclusively after sunset. As a result, the gemstone was given the name "evening emerald" by the Romans.
The glossy olive green tint of a peridot contributes significantly to its appeal. It's also one of the few gemstones that exclusively comes in a single color. A peridot's color comes from its basic chemical composition rather than traces of impurities in nature, making it idiochromatic. Peridot stones vary in intensity and color based on the quantity of iron in their structure, even though they are all the same color.
This gem is actively mined in Burma, Norway, Arizona, Hawaii, and the Red Sea islands, among other places. In the early 1990s, the finest peridot stone was discovered in Pakistan, ensuring that this gem is still available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Symbolism
Peridot has a plethora of legends associated with it. One of them tells the story of Egyptian sailors who landed on a deserted island. They discovered olive-colored stones scattered around the island. These gleaming stones were subsequently sent back to Egypt, where the royalty cut, polished, and displayed them.
This gem was also thought to contain a number of other characteristics that brought a variety of benefits, including excellent health, anxiety reduction, and riches. It was also thought to help with self-esteem and sadness.
Peridot was typically encrusted in gold and used as a potent charm against dreams and evil spirits in ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt. Peridot was said to encourage happiness and self-esteem in other legends. The Bible mentions this stone, which has been mined for thousands of years, under the Hebrew term "pitdah."
Properties
Hardness and Strength
On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, peridots scored 6.5 to 7. Peridot stones are frequently utilized in practically all forms of jewelry, including everyday-wear items, despite their lack of durability in comparison to many other gems. A peridot is not acid sensitive, but it is susceptible to scratches.
Treatment
Treatments are rarely applied to this gem. Peridots, on the other hand, are occasionally treated with colorless oils or resins to lessen the visibility of inclusions and improve overall clarity. Green foil can be used to impart a richer tint to pale colored stones. Synthetic peridots are also made, however they are not as frequent as natural peridots.
Grades
Color
Peridot comes in a very limited color range, ranging from a deep dark olive to a lighter yellow-green. The higher the iron content, the darker the green color. Large gems with a bright saturated green or slightly yellowish-green color and no brown tints are extremely valuable. Peridots with a light tone are more cheap than those with a vibrant rich green. Day and night, and even under artificial lights, real peridots have the same hue.
Clarity
The majority of high-quality peridots are eye-clean, meaning they have no obvious imperfections. Some of these stones, however, may include minute chromite mineral crystals that can be seen under magnification. Another type of inclusion seen in peridots is reflective disk-like inclusions known as "lily pads." The majority of a peridot's faults are removed during the cutting process, and it is then used in jewelry.
Peridot gems with good clarity are very common, thus clouded or blurred varieties of this gemstone should be avoided.
Cut
A peridot's beauty and sparkle are greatly enhanced by a fine cut. It comes in a variety of shapes and cuts, including round, oval, pear, cushion, triangle, and marquise, to name a few. Square or rectangular emerald step cuts are quite common.
AAAA-Heirloom
The peridots in this group are in the top one percent of extremely uncommon peridots. They have the eye-clean property, which means they have flawless brilliance. The vivid olive green color of these peridots sets them apart from the rest.
AAA-Best
This group accounts for over 10% of all natural peridots on the market. These peridot gemstones have a yellowish-green color and are also eye-clean.
AA-Better
This comprises the top 33% of the peridots available. They're a light yellowish-green hue with some impurities.
A-Good
This group contains the top 75% of available peridots with slight to moderate inclusions and is light yellowish-green in hue.
Care Guides
Peridot is a stunning gemstone that can be kept shiny for years with a little extra care. Here are some guidelines to help it stay sparkling.-
To reduce friction, keep your peridot jewelry separate from other gemstones.
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You may also wrap it in a soft cloth and store it in a fabric-lined jewelry box to keep it safe.
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When performing strenuous home duties or partaking in outdoor activities, avoid wearing this gem.
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Cosmetics and harsh chemicals, such as cleaning agents, should be avoided.
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Sudden temperature changes and extreme heat should be avoided because they will fade the stone's color.
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Cleaning should be done with a gentle soap and warm water solution, and drying should be done with a soft cloth.
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Ultrasonic cleaners should not be used.
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At least once a year, have your peridot jewelry cleaned by a professional.
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A peridot is a rare gem found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth's mantle. It is a prized property because of its breathtaking beauty. This sparkling diamond will last a lifetime with a little extra attention to its upkeep.