Buyer's Guide
Connoisseurs seek out large well-cut intensely coloured grass-green one-of-a-kind gems, but there’s a thriving market for smaller, pastel shades in standard sizes.
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What to look for
The most favoured peridot colour is a richly saturated pure grass green, which is usually only achieved in gems of 10-cts. or larger. Smaller examples tend to show yellowish-green hues and brown undertones lower the value of peridot.
The best-quality peridot has no eye-visible inclusions, with perhaps a few tiny black spots - actually minute mineral crystals - visible under magnification. Other inclusions common in peridot are reflective, disk-shaped inclusions called “lily pads.”
With skilled cutting maximising its beautiful body colour, peridot can be a stunning gem. It’s available in a wide variety of shapes and cutting styles, including ovals, pears, rounds, emerald cuts, cushion cuts, triangle cuts, and marquise shapes.
Although the finest gems are generally seen in sizes above 10 cts. and there are fine gems of more than 50 cts. on the market, smaller gems cut to standard sizes are affordable and readily available.
Peridot Quality Factors: The Comprehensive Guide
Questions & Answers
Should I be looking for a peridot from Myanmar, Pakistan or Egypt?
Although collectors enjoy knowing where their peridot was mined, fine peridot comes from many localities. Because Zabargad Island in the Red Sea is not currently commercially producing, gems that can be confirmed as coming from that source may command a slight premium due to their historical value.
What is AAA peridot?
Although individual companies might create their own quality descriptions – like AAA, AA, A – to denote the range of quality of their goods, no standard quality grading scales exist for peridot.
I’ve seen peridot marketed as “unheated”. Does that make it more valuable?
No, peridot is known to be heated to improve its appearance. Although the claim is technically true, it’s misleading.
Find out more
Peridot: Questions & AnswersCaring for Your Peridot
Keep your peridot beautiful by following simple care and cleaning guidelines.
Durability
Peridot has fair to good toughness. It’s durable enough for jewellery wear but should be worn with some care so as not to scratch it.
Care and Cleaning
Warm soapy water is always safe.
Treatment
Peridot is rarely treated, but might have fractures. Only clean fracture-filled gemstones with warm, soapy water.
