The depth of colour depends upon the amount of iron present in the stone which is composed of two minerals, Fayalite (iron rich) and Fosterite (magnesium rich).
It has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 and the most desirable colour being a sparkling vivid green as shown in the faceted stone of this ring.
Peridot is the birthstone for August and the Zodiac stone for the constellation Libra. Legend has it as the favourite gemstone of Cleopatra.Peridot is the gem variety of the mineral Olivine formed by volcanic activity. Tiny crystals are found in the black volcanic sands of Hawaii and in the extinct volcanoes of Victoria's Western District.
An unusual source of Peridot is the iron-nickel meteorites called Pallasites.
Myanmar, Pakistan and Egypt produce the best quality gems but they're found all over the world. Peridot has been mined as a gemstone for an estimated four thousand years and is mentioned in the Bible under the Hebrew name of Pitdah.
Ancient Egyptians called them the gem of the Sun and the priests drank from cups made of peridot believing it drew them closer to Isis, the Goddess of Nature. They also wore it as a talisman to protect against infection and evil.
While it stands alone in its beauty, it's also enhanced by complementary colours as in this necklace of cat's eye Kunzite, faceted Vesuvianite, pink Sapphires, faceted Peridot, faceted Rhodolite garnets and pink Keshi Pearls.The silver bracelet by Stephen Dweck has Peridot, pearls, drusy, smoky Topaz and faceted smoky Topaz.
PERIDOT LORE
It's considered protective against evil and when set in gold, especially helpful against night terrors.
It was ground to powder and used as a remedy for asthma.
It brings friendship, prevents envy and is purported to lift depression.
It sources divine inspiration and signifies strength and happiness in both individuals and relationships.
It enhances the efficacy of medication and improves speech.
10 comments:
I have an oval Peridot and the colour of that stone is spot on but after reading this I'm thinking of having the silver setting, gold plated.
Ah, thanks fer that info .. peridot; unclear. Might use that as a non de plume one day .. peridot peregrinating. heh.
"It brings friendship, prevents envy and is purported to lift depression."
No...that's a bottle of whisky and a stupid haircut.
"It enhances the efficacy of medication and improves speech."
Next thing you know it'll either be on the list of banned substances or on the PBS list!
Very pretty :)
The bracelet is very pretty. Most of the peridot I see is a pale yellowy green. Not pretty at all. The sparkling clear green in the ring you have pictured is much nicer and makes me feel happier about my birthstone.
oh I do think that is a pretty necklace.
I would covet it IF
I was ever in an environment where jewellery was appropriate.
Annie O, any environment is suitable for jewellery. Remember the Cartland philosophy!
River, I wasn't aware it was expensive but then I did buy the stone a long time before I had it set. My weakness, buy the stone and wait years to have enough money to have it set.
Jayne, I'm wearing it to see what it does to depression. I'll report.
Fleetwood from photos I've seen, you don't haircut.
Davo, You should know by now that everything on this blog is unclear.
Id better get one, the bloody night terrors have me sleeping about two horus a night... I'm buggered.
Therese, you'll have to get a damn big one. It's only been a year and you've done such a lot with the investigation and now you've got time to grieve and this is how it starts.
gee...They are really beautiful JT. You certainly have style along with all your other attributes.
xxx
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