What is Peridot?
Peridot is a vibrant yellow-green gemstone valued since the time of the Ancient Egyptians. Naturally formed in global lava flows, it comprises the mineral olivine. Some rare, valuable forms of peridot even hail from meteorites.
Peridot Chemical Makeup and Origin
Olivine, rich in magnesium and iron, imparts the stone’s vivid color. Major sources of peridot include China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Egypt, and the USA. It ranks a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale and scores between 1.65-1.69 on the refractive scale.
Furthermore, peridot’s beauty shines in various jewelry settings like rings and necklaces. It’s also the traditional gemstone for celebrating the 15th wedding anniversary and is often dubbed the “extreme gem” because of its unique formation process.
Varieties of Peridot
There are several varieties of peridot, each possessing distinctive characteristics and values. Below are descriptions of the most prominent types:
Burmese Peridot
This variety, as its name suggests, originates from Myanmar (formerly Burma) and is notable for its availability in large carat sizes.
Green Peridot
Green peridot is the common terminology for most of the gem varieties. Often mistaken for emeralds due to its vibrant green hue, it differs significantly in composition, appearance, and price. Emeralds are darker and rarer.
Hebei Peridot
From China’s Hebei province, this variety boasts a distinct chartreuse color with strong yellow undertones, distinguishing it from other types.
Changbai Peridot
Mined from China’s Changbai province, this variety is highly valued and considered top quality. Its bright green color makes it an exquisite addition to various jewelry pieces.
Vietnamese Peridot
Vietnam ranks among the primary sources for peridot, offering a variety of shades of green. Discovered in the 1990s, Vietnamese peridot has gained significant popularity in the market.
What Affects Peridot Pricing?
Color
Peridot’s price is heavily influenced by its bright, vibrant green hue. Unlike diamonds, the focus is not on inclusions but on color richness, which is defined by its hue, saturation, and tone.
The more saturated the color, the higher the value, as it means fewer visible inclusions. Peridots with a brownish tint are deemed lower quality and should be avoided.
Carat
Carat size significantly influences peridot value. The gem’s color appears most striking in stones larger than 10 carats, making larger specimens more valuable.
Cut
Peridot can be cut in various styles like round, cushion, oval, princess, emerald, and pear. Round and emerald cuts are especially popular due to the stone’s delicate crystal structure. For rings, solitaire, halo, and three-stone styles are in high demand and available at Artful Bracelets.
Production & Mining
Natural Peridot vs Natural Treated Peridot
Peridot’s value is influenced by its production and mining methods. Naturally occurring peridot is rare and expensive, but high-quality stones are often heat-treated to enhance color and clarity, a 100% natural enhancement process. Heat-treated peridot remains real and often looks more beautiful.
At Artful Bracelets, many naturally mined peridots undergo heat treatment for optimal results. Lab-made peridot is visually and chemically identical to natural stones, frequently offering superior color and saturation.
Buying Peridot
Price considerations for peridot include color grade, cut, carat, and production method. It’s essential to align your budget and aesthetic goals when purchasing this gem.
Natural peridot typically costs between $50-$80 per carat, but higher quality stones can be pricier. Lab-created peridot is more affordable, costing up to 40% less per carat.
