How about trekking as a rockhound after sunset? That sounds Weird! In the dark.

True, the miners of Egypt exactly did this to identify the beauty of the ‘Evening Emeralds’. Any guess on the gem name?

During rock hounding, we occasionally stumble upon larger narratives and unexplored stories.

Let me take you through this gem known as PERIDOT. Here is a gemstone that the Ancient Egyptian rulers referred to as ‘the gem of the sun’ owing to its intense radiance emanating from within. These Peridots were considered not to be mined during daylight as their brightness would render them invisible, while in the dark they were distinguished as they gave off their light. Thus, the miners would mark the locations during the evening and return during the day to collect these stones. Does this statement make sense, that this gem keeps itself lustrous both during the day and night, even under artificial lightning? So, this could also be a reason to refer to them as “Evening Emeralds”.

This lively gemstone has a unique history, mistaken identities, and exciting extra-terrestrial journeys.

Peridot is a bright green August birthstone, bundled with the other two:

1) The Sardonyx with bands of white and reddish layers of sard creating a reddish-white banded appearance. 

2) The Spinel looks identical to a ruby. 

Now, a little brainstorming before we move on. 

How do you pronounce the word Peridot? Do you like to call it “Pear-eh-doe” or ‘Pear-eh-dot”? We at C. Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers have no problem with people pronouncing ‘Peridot’ either way. Most jewellers and Gem collectors pronounce it as peri-doe, which follows the French way of pronunciation, where the letter t is silent, like depot or ‘doe’ as in a female deer. The American way is peri-dot. However, you pronounce it, our embedded relationship with the treasures is drawn towards the beauty of this lovely green ranging from bright to subtle green. 

During searching for the origin of Gemstones, we often unravel a much larger narrative about our natural relationship with the treasures of this physical world and how we choose to use them for metaphysical connection & understanding. Explore such exclusive rare Gems at our Crystal museum – Touchstone, at the Main Guard Cross Road.

The Mistaken Identities

Peridot has often been confused with other Gemstones. One Egyptian legend mentions that peridots were unearthed, for the royal treasury of the pharaoh, with miners working restlessly. Therefore, whispers amongst historians are that the famous emerald collection of Cleopatra was almost sure to have at least some Peridots, if not all, because of the abundance of Peridot deposits in Egypt. 

In another case of mistaken identity, the Gems that adorn the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral were Emeralds when they were Peridots.

With an enhanced scientific approach, gemologists have developed ways to identify and distinguish Gemstones based on their scientific properties and chemical makeup, clearing all the misrepresentations. As with ancient times, visual appearance was the primary means of determining a stone type, leading to mistaken identities. 

A little through Geology

Peridot is composed mainly of an olivine-rich rock known as peridotite, along with iron and magnesium, which give them their characteristic colour depending on the amount and type of iron present. Ferrous iron creates its envious colouration. The finest grade olivine contains more magnesium than iron.

In certain rare cases, this extra-terrestrials gem has found its way to the earth via meteorites and has been verified against gemological techniques to prove its outer-space origins.

On Mother Earth, these geographic locations of peridot mines occur in Egypt, Myanmar, Arizona, Pakistan, China, Vietnam and Finland. 

Being Observant

Peridot is the only Gemstone to show, in only one colour – Olive Green. It is the most attractive feature. As an individual, flaunt a colour you love, from the gorgeous spectrum of bright green to green, with yellowish or brownish tints. Most customers desire light greens as they are beautiful on fairer complexions. However, many prefer a bright green for its rarity. Peridot is a gem, especially for the August-born and those celebrating their 16th anniversary. 

With a deep connection for loving relationships, this Gem bonds well with family, friends and romantic partners. Open your heart to find them in creative multi-gem pieces in a wide range with the meticulous craftsmanship of C. Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers. This versatile Gemstone looks equally good in both white and yellow metals. Let these Gems take you through a positive transformation driving away darkness and negativity to acknowledge your divine worth.

If you wish to customise your desire with these highly prized Gemstones at C. Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers. We will guide you through the custom design process to create an heirloom-quality piece of Peridot jewellery to cherish forever.

Did You Know?

Peridotite is allied with other precious minerals formed deep inside the earth, such as chromite and Diamonds, which are valuable beyond its Gemstone potential.