Peridot is one of the few gemstones

that occur in only one color,

an olive green.

 

The intensity and tint of the green, however, depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, so the color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow–to olive–to brownish-green.

 

The most valued color

is a dark olive-green.

 

 

Olivine, of which peridot is a type, is a common mineral in mafic and ultramafic rocks.  Peridot is also often found in lavas and in peridotite xenoliths of the mantle, which lavas carry to the surface; but gem quality peridot only occurs in a fraction of these settings.

 

 

 

Peridot can also be found in meteorites. 

 

Olivine in general is a very abundant mineral, but gem quality peridot is rather rare. This mineral is precious.

 

Peridot olivine is mined in Egypt, Arkansas, Arizona on the San Carlos Reservation, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico at Kilbourne Hole, in the US; and in Australia, Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. [Source: Wikipedia]

AMETHYST Amethyst, a sister stone to citrine, is deep purple colored quartz. Fine amethyst is usually found in Brazil…   TELL ME MORE >

EMERALDS Cleopatra prized her emeralds more than any other gem. Mummies in ancient Egypt were often buried…TELL ME MORE >

SAPPHIRES Blue sapphires are found chiefly in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, Australia and in the US…TELL ME MORE >

PEARLS A pearl is a hard, rounded secretion formed inside the shell of certain mollusks, used as a gem. TELL ME MORE >