Back to gem encyclopedia

Peridot

Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem

Responsive image
Antique Cushion

This magnificent antique cushion-cut peridot weighs 20.25-cts.

Responsive image
Double Refraction

Peridot’s strong double refraction causes double images of facets.

Responsive image
Eye Clean

This peridot also has exceptional clarity.

Responsive image
Responsive image
Myanmar Gem

This exceptional peridot crystal from Myanmar measures 4.3 cm tall.

Responsive image
Yellowish-green Hue

This crystal has a medium-toned, highly saturated yellowish-green hue.

Responsive image
Rare Crystal

Peridot crystals are rare; miners typically find irregular nodules.

Responsive image
Tools

Research

Reviewed

Peer Reviewed (14)

Topics

Cut (4) Color (2) Optical Properties (1) See All Topics

Topics

Gemology (22)
Localities (16)
History (11)
Jewelry (9)
Design (7)
Education (7)
Inclusions (7)
Chemical Composition (5)
Geology (5)
Mining (5)
Physical properties (5)
Cut (4)
Identification (4)
Trade (4)
Mineralogy (3)
Care (2)
Color (2)
Faceting (2)
Formation (2)
Metals (2)
Precious Metals (2)
Pricing (2)
Techniques (2)
Tools (2)
Travel (2)
Carat Weight (1)
Fashion (1)
Imitations (1)
Manufacturing (1)
Optical Properties (1)
Organics (1)
Quality Factors (1)
Simulants (1)

Gemstones

Diamond (23) Sapphire (17) Emerald (13) Ruby (13) Pearl (7) See All Gemstones

Gemstones

Peridot (49)
Diamond (23)
Sapphire (17)
Tourmaline (16)
Emerald (13)
Ruby (13)
Garnet (12)
Amethyst (10)
Opal (10)
Topaz (10)
Jade (9)
Spinel (9)
Alexandrite (7)
Pearl (7)
Aquamarine (6)
Turquoise (6)
Diamond - Fancy Color (5)
Tanzanite (4)
Amber (3)
Citrine (2)
Moonstone (2)
Zircon (2)
Ametrine (1)
Kunzite (1)
Lapis Lazuli (1)
Rose Quartz (1)
XClear Selections
Blade-like magnetite inclusions developed from a healed fracture in a 2.08 ct Burmese peridot resemble a rainy lakeside city. Photomicrograph by Makoto Miura; field of view 1.06 mm.
Rainy Lakeside City in Peridot

Makoto Miura, November 3, 2023

Blade-like magnetite inclusions developed from a healed fracture in peridot resemble a dark, rainy afternoon in a lakeside city.

Read More
Thread-like inclusions of serpentine resembling an ancient text. Photomicrograph by Le Ngoc Nang; field of view 2.50 mm.
Ancient Script-Like Serpentine in Brown Peridot

Le Ngoc Nang, August 4, 2023

Examination of a brown peridot xenocryst reveals thread-like serpentine inclusions resembling ancient text.

Read More
Figure 1. The face-up view of a 2.32 ct faceted pallasitic peridot, the largest extraterrestrial peridot seen at GIA to date. Photo by Diego Sanchez.
Large Faceted Pallasitic Peridot

Britni LeCroy, January 25, 2023

A large specimen of extraterrestrial peridot is analyzed at the Carlsbad laboratory.

Read More
Burmese peridot exhibits fishbone-like inclusion.
“Fishbone” Inclusion in a Burmese Peridot from Mogok

Shu-Hong Lin, May 13, 2022

Examination of Burmese peridot with impressive size, color, and clarity reveals a fishbone-shaped inclusion.

Read More
Faceted peridot from the Pyaung-Gaung mine in Mogok
Gemological Characterization of Peridot from Pyaung-Gaung in Mogok, Myanmar

Montira Seneewong-Na-Ayutthaya, Wassana Chongraktrakul, and Tasnara Sripoonjan, January 28, 2022

Examines the mining and the internal, spectroscopic, and chemical features of peridot from this deposit, which possesses a rich olive green color and is available in large sizes.

Read More
Gem trading at Namak Mandi
Namak Mandi: A Pioneering Gemstone Market in Pakistan

Habib Ur Rehman, Bilal, Syed Owais, Obaid Ur Rahman, and Andy H. Shen, September 3, 2021

Documents Namak Mandi’s transformation from a salt market to one of Pakistan’s primary gem trading centers, with a look at the commercial activities taking place today.

Read More
A large red-orange crystal of wulfenite is nestled in the arms of matrix.
Article
Arizona Road Trips: Wild West Gem and Mineral Localities

Sharon Bohannon, November 18, 2019

Arizona’s scenic desert and mountain landscape is the perfect backdrop for a modern Wild West road trip in search of gem and mineral treasures.

Read More
Spinel suites in a range of hues.
Fine Gems and Update from Myanmar

Duncan Pay, May 8, 2017

A look at top-quality gems and insight into a delegation’s visit to gem mines in Myanmar.

Read More
Multi-colored gems are superimposed on an image of glacier peaks.
Article
Gems and Minerals from the Subarctic

Sharon Bohannon, March 17, 2017

Circumnavigate the boreal reaches of the globe to explore gems from polar regions.

Read More
Vietnamese peridot nodules, rough stones, and faceted samples
Peridot from the Central Highlands of Vietnam: Properties, Origin, and Formation

Nguyen Thi Minh Thuyet, Christoph Hauzenberger, Nguyen Ngoc Khoi, Cong Thi Diep, Chu Van Lam, Nguyen Thi Minh, Nguyen Hoang, and Tobias Häger, November 7, 2016

Analyzes the gemological and geochemical characteristics of peridot from the Gia Lai province alongside specimens from other localities to gain insight into its formation.

Read More
Load More
This Month's

Featured Gems

reading
Peridot

Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem.
reading
Fancy Color Diamond

Dazzling brilliance. Captivating color. These are the planet’s most valued gems.
reading
Diamond

Diamonds are among nature’s most precious and beautiful creations.
reading
Emerald

Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.
reading
Citrine

Citrine is the transparent, pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz.

View the Gem Encyclopedia