Peridot has been mined for more than 3,500 years. The oldest source is St. John’s Island, Egypt, in the Red Sea. Many of Cleopatra’s “emeralds” were probably peridot. Adding further confusion, peridot was called topaz in ancient times.
Pakistan, China, and Arizona are the main sources of peridot today. Other deposits include Myanmar, Afghanistan, Brazil, Kenya, and Norway. Peridot is one of the few stones that occurs in one basic color, olive green, although it can vary from yellow to olive to brownish-green. Also called chrysolite, olivine or forsterite, peridot is one of three birthstones for August along with spinel and sardonyx.
Based in Albuquerque, NM, jewelry artist Paula Crevoshay, was previously a painter. Now she paints with gems, and her favorite themes are flowers, sea creatures, endangered animals, and birds. You can see more of her impressive jewelry at www.crevoshay.com.
Additional info on peridot and other gems is in my “Gemstone Buying Guide: How to evaluate, identify, select & care for colored gems.” www.reneenewman.com/gemstone.htm
Guest articles by Renée Newman:
https://gem-spectrum.com/category/renee-newman
About the author:
Renée Newman is a gemologist (GG, GIA), lecturer, writer and author of 15 books on gems and jewelry. Her goal is to provide consumers and jewelry professionals with unbiased, affordable information on how to buy, evaluate and appreciate gems and jewelry. She can be reached through her website:
