Peridot Earrings

Peridot Earring Buying Tips

Peridot, a volcanic gem, is the gem variety of Olivine - a species of magnesium-iron rich silicate minerals. Gem quality Peridot comes from a variety of sources, the oldest being the ancient Zagbargad Island in the Red Sea, off the coast of Egypt. The earliest recorded production here was around 70 AD. Unconfirmed records have it that mining could have gone on, during the time of the Pharaohs, as early as 1500 BC! The other sources are Mogok in Myanmar (formerly Burma), Pakistan, Brazil, Germany, Australia, Peridot Mesa at San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona, and Salt Lake Crater in Oahu (Hawaii). Folklore has it that it was once treasured by native Hawaiians as the tears of Pele - the Goddess-of-Fire.

courtesy: mineralminers.com

Buying Peridot Earrings

From the ancient times, Peridot has been popular for jewelry; in fact, it is its best-known use. It is believed that the Emeralds worn by Cleopatra were in fact Peridot. Found in varying shades of olive green, yellow-green, and brownish-green, its most valued color for jewelry is a lively lime green.

Peridot is a clean stone, with the hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's scale of hardness. The darker shade of green is considered a better stone. A lively lime green Peridot, though, lends its elegance to earrings. For earrings, look for gemstones that are not overwhelmingly 'olivey'. As in the case of all gemstones, the cut of Peridot, its facets, decide its value for earrings. The cut should produce an even fire. There should be no large dark patches when you look directly down on the table. Observe the gemstone in both, the incandescent and fluorescent light sources. This will give you an idea of the change in its color and fire when you wear your earrings under those lights. Just for this basic quality, it is an ideal evening adornment.

When buying Peridot earrings, look for the following

Select a pair that has a vivid light green color. Peridot with little or no olive tones is most popular for earrings.
Observe its cut. The faceting should produce an even fire, with no dark patches.
Most American Peridot is 3 carat or less, and is an ideal size for earrings.
Like all gems, the value of Peridot increases with its carat weight. Look for small sizes of cut Peridot for your earrings. The small size will look great in earrings and will be easier on your pocket.

Peridot is ideochromatic, and its rich grass green and vivid light green colors are ideal for earrings. Peridot is a very appropriate gemstone for jewelry in general, and for earrings in particular, as it looks good under all light conditions. Peridot is not an expensive gemstone and one should go for clean clarity. Certain Peridot have a 'sleepy appearance,' caused by small platelet inclusions found in the stones from Myanmar. This lends its own charm, and can be considered when shopping for earrings. The relative affordability of Peridot makes it popular among those who cannot afford emeralds or sapphires for their earrings.

The beauty of Peridot is that you can apply all types of cuts and shapes to it. This quality makes your pair of earrings standout, whether they are worked in gold or in sterling silver. Jewelers can be asked to focus on the cut of your earrings, as they are not terribly expensive. You can let your imagination run wild and design your own cuts for your pair of earrings. The elegance of your Peridot earrings is enhanced by good cutting, proportions and symmetry.

Peridot sizes range from miniscule to faceted stones of 10 carat or more. Ideal sizes for earrings are anything from 1 carat or less to 5 carats combined weight for a pair. They make lovely pairs whether as drop down earrings, clip on earrings, or post style earrings. Though Peridot has never been synthesized, a number of imitations exist, such as tourmaline and green glass. Glass can easily be found out by its single refraction.

Peridot is one of the gemstones that are enhanced to improve its appearance. It is routinely enhanced by filling surface-breaking fissures with a colorless oil, wax, resin or any other colorless substances. This process improves its durability and appearance.

Peridot Facts and Lore

Peridot is a green in color and is a very popular gemstone for jewelry, used in Earrings, Necklaces, Pendants and Rings. The ancient Romans called it the 'evening emerald,' because in a lamplight its green color shone even more intensely to resemble deep green emeralds. Legend has it that in ancient Egypt, mining was done at night because Peridot could not be easily seen during the day, but its pale shimmering green was easily lit up by lamplight at night.

Pakistan, today, produces the finest Peridot and in large quantities. China, too, produces in large quantities, but of inferior qualities. Myanmar produces large size Peridot, 30 carats and up, and is mainly of interest as collector's items. The largest cut Peridot, a 310-carat gem, is now displayed at The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. A yellowish-green 192.75-carat stone of the czars is now a part of the Diamond Treasury in Moscow. A 146-carat step-cut Peridot resides in Geological Museum in London.

Peridot is the birthstone of Libra, the lucky charm of Leo, and the anniversary gemstone for the 16th year of marriage. Peridot earrings will make ideal gifts as birthday or 16th wedding anniversary presents.

Mystical properties have been attributed to Peridot. It is thought that it helps dreams become a reality. It is a symbol of fame, dignity, and protection. According to legends, Peridot protected pirates against evil, and when set in gold, it protected against the terrors of the night. In the olden times, drinking medicine from a goblet made from Peridot was thought to double its strength. Taken internally, ground Peridot, was once used as a treatment for asthma.

In the recent times, Peridot has enjoyed a rise in its popularity as the gemstone, especially, for earrings. It lends elegance to the wearer, and is designed intricately with 14k or 18k gold, or with sterling silver. This is the time to enhance your wardrobe with Peridot earrings, and you can do so at very affordable prices. Happy shopping!