Peridot pronounced pear-a-doe comes from the Arabic word “faridat”, which means gem.
In the 18th century the French were the first to call this yellowish-green stone peridot.
Peridot is the Mineral Olivine.
One of the most important historical deposits is on the volcanic island Zabargad
which is now called St. John.
It is also mined in Egypt, Burma, Australia, Burma, China, Pakistan and Arizona US.
If you have ever been to the Big Island of Hawaii you may have been to the southern tip
where they have a beach called green sand.
This beach is mostly made of Olivine (Peridot).
Peridot was called topaz until the 18th century.
As early as 1500 B.C., the Egyptians used peridot as a gem,
and it was considered the “gem of the sun”.
It was believed, to develop its full strength as a talisman, it had to be set in gold.
Peridot was brought to central Europe by the crusaders of the Middle Ages
and was often used for religious purposes.
Legend tells us that miners searched for peridot crystals at night,
as moonlight made them easier to see.
They would mark the location and come back at daylight to dig them up.
Peridot is the birthstone for August and is designated for the 3rd wedding anniversary.
At Randy’s we have a large selection of Peridot in many sizes.
Peridot in high quality is still an inexpensive gem.
Our price ranges from $7 to several hundred for larger gems.