Natural Peridot: Complete Guide for Trade, Jewelry, and Collections
This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about natural rubies, for trade partners, jewelers, and collectors alike.
Overview
Natural Peridot, a gem-quality variety of olivine, is cherished for its beautiful olive to lime green colors. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, Peridot is durable and suitable for various types of jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and earrings. This gemstone is often associated with light and warmth, making it a popular choice for both fashion and fine jewelry. Its historical significance and unique characteristics have established Peridot as a sought-after gemstone in the market. Understanding its properties, sources, and market dynamics is essential for anyone involved in its trade or collection.
Physical Properties and Specifications
Chemical Composition: (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄
Hardness: 6.5 - 7 on the Mohs scale
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Refractive Index: 1.654 - 1.689
Specific Gravity: 3.27 - 3.37
Pleochroism: Weak, typically shows slight color variations
Fluorescence: Generally inert, but some specimens may fluoresce weakly
Cleavage/Fracture: Perfect cleavage in one direction, conchoidal fracture
Color and Quality Classifications
Available Color Ranges
Primary hues: Green
Secondary modifications: Yellowish-green, brownish-green
Tone and saturation ranges: Light to dark tones with vivid saturation
Premium colors: Bright lime green and olive green
Commercial grades: Light shades and less saturated colors
Clarity Characteristics
Typical inclusion types: Iron inclusions, crystals, and color zoning
Clarity grading standards: Eye-clean to included
Source-specific features: Unique inclusions that may indicate origin
Eye-clean criteria: No visible inclusions to the naked eye
Source Locations and Material
Historic sources
Egypt, Myanmar (Burma), and the USA (Arizona)
Current production
Significant production is currently from the USA, China, and Pakistan.
Source-specific characteristics
Each location imparts distinct characteristics in color and clarity.
Production trends
Increasing demand for Peridot has led to rising prices, especially for high-quality specimens.