The Wonderous Green Gemstone - Peridot

Peridot is deep green stone that is often used as the focal bead in sterling pendants. Peridot and olivine both belong to the beryl family of gemstones, although the physical and chemical properties of the two stones are quite different. Peridot typically is a combination of iron silicate and magnesium silicate. Ideally, iron silicate or fayalite is less than fifteen percent. Above this content, the color of the stone can change to yellow or brown, both of which lessen the value of the stone. Facet cut stones that are less than 5 carats in weight are commonly used in fashion jewelry. The cost of the stone goes up with size. Stones larger than fifteen carats are rare and can be quite expensive. Some of best specimens of peridot today come from the Hindukush mountains near the Afghanistan – Pakistan border. This deposit, located at an elevation of over thirteen thousand feet, and was discovered in the mid nineteen nineties. The area is quite rough, and mining can only occur in the summer months after the snow has melted and the roads leading to the mines are passable.