What to know about PERIDOT JEWELRY…
This juicy green gem has fascinating facets that involve ancient volcanoes and ancient Egyptians - to name a few! Up through the Middle Ages, it was confused with emerald. Some historians believe that a portion of Cleopatra’s famed emeralds may have been peridot! Get the skinny and shop a curation of discerning jewelry, thoughtfully designed by women…
The natural gemstones you see are courtesy of Wild & Petsch and Nomad’s for the purpose of education.
WHAT IS PERIDOT?
Peridot is the only gemstone that shares the same origin as diamond: deep in the Earth’s mantle (a-la lava and meteorites), not in the crust.
It is one of the earliest recorded gemstones mined in history from a tiny island in the Egyptian Red Sea called Topazios, now known as Zabargad, around 1500 - 300 BC.
Ancient Egyptians believed it was the “gem of the sun” that could harness the power of nature - and protect against night terrors. To ancient Romans it deterred jealousy. Others believed it to bring positivity, prosperity, and inner strength.
We’ve outlined points to help you understand value and what to ask to make an informed decision on a piece of jewelry you will LOVE!
SEARCHING FOR PERIDOT JEWELRY OR A GIFT FOR HER?
Shop our hand-selected peridot jewelry from celebrated designers that will empower your unique style. If you are seeking memorable jewelry, my fluid concierge services help you find jewelry that symbolizes a personal journey, milestone, or expresses an emotion.
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DESIGNER PERIDOT JEWELRY
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that does not vary beyond an array of green with yellow hues, depending on iron content.
The most coveted are a rich, saturated green to yellow green. Swing farther to the olive side or more into the yellowish brown territory, the less valuable it is.
As is the case for most gemstones when it comes to clarity, fewer inclusions are better.
Discover what to know about peridot - and jewelry designed by WOMEN!
Where is peridot found?
The most prized peridots throughout history are from Zabargad, a tiny island in the Red Sea, although the mines are not currently in production. Like rubies, peridot found in the Mogok Valley in Myanmar are highly revered. They can also be found in a variety of places around the world such as Pakistan, China, Norway and Antarctica. In the US, thanks to ancient volcanic eruptions, they can be found in Arizona and the Big Island of Hawaii.
The origin of gemstones: TRACEABILITY
The breathtaking gems you see here are courtesy of Nomad’s. Just as we know where our food comes from and who made our clothes, why not jewelry?
Below is an example of their proprietary Provenance Report, demonstrating their commitment to transparency, trust, and traceability. Beyond the descriptive details about each gemstone, the report discloses the history of the origin and a specific gemstone’s journey to the cutting wheel - literally mapping and disclosing the supply chain.
What does ethically and sustainably sourced jewelry mean?
Women and men at the forefront of this global conversation will have slightly different perspectives, but there is a shared ethos: responsible sourcing.
This encompasses traceability, conflict-free, protecting people, their skills, and the environment - be it land or sea.
An ongoing initiative worth following is the Jewelry Glossary Project.
The purpose is to create shared definitions of key terms within the jewelry industry for use by the trade and the public. The project was launched to increase transparency throughout the supply chain, by building consensus on definitions for key terms and creating accountability for their usage.
Manifesting your intentions with peridot
This gemstone is associated with peace, balance, and compassion.
Just as our ancient ancestors believed gemstones were imbued with special properties, such as protection, wisdom, or courage, today we are empowered by the metaphysical properties of gemstones to manifest what we wish to create.
You may be interested in our guide to visualize your intentions through the metaphysical properties of gemstones and jewelry.
Unlike many other gemstones, it is not a common practice for peridot to be “heat treated” to improve its color.
For some gemstones it is an acceptable practice (emerald) and for others it is something to avoid (opal). Examples can be heat treatment, irradiation, bleaching, and fracture/cavity filling and these should always be disclosed.
On the topic of treatment of any kind with any gemstone, knowledge is power because it always impacts value.
This concierge service offers you peace of mind knowing your gift:
tells a personal story
it is not like anything else
aligns with your values
Learn more about The Brilliant Concierge.
The MOHS SCALE:
How hard is PERIDOT?
peridot is a hard as quartz (which is found as tiny particles in dust)
The Mohs scale of hardness is important to consider when choosing a particular stone for a particular kind of wear.
It is the degree of mineral “hardness”, measured by the resistance which a smooth surface offers to abrasion: 1 (soft) to 10 (hard). For example, an 8 will scratch a gemstone that is a 7 or below. Simply put, the softer the stone, the more careful you need to be about wearing that stone in jewelry that may be exposed to more wear.
Does peridot scratch easily?
This is a question you’re most likely to ask when buying gemstones and jewelry. Knowing how hard it is (or any gemstone) will help you to determine whether it is an everyday gemstone or an occasional piece.
Peridot is 7 on the Mohs scale - the same as quartz. This point is interesting to mention because common dust can contain minute particles of quartz. If present, any gemstone below 7 would be scratched when cleaning, so be sure to wash under warm water prior to wiping off dust!
This gem is a gorgeous candidate for everyday rings, versus softer gemstones that can be more susceptible to everyday scratches and damage with accidental bumps.
How to care for peridot jewelry
A few jewelry care basics can keep your pieces looking their best, avoid damage and loss of gemstones.
WEAR: When dressing for day or night, jewelry should be the last thing on and the first thing off. Contact with chemicals such as fragrance, hairspray, nail polish remover, household cleaners, and chlorine can harm jewelry.
Remove jewelry when cleaning, gardening, swimming, or playing sports, as contact with hard surfaces can scratch, damage, or loosen stones in prongs.
CHECK SETTINGS AND STONES: Inspect jewelry before wearing it to check if the stones are chipped, loose, or rattle in settings.
CLEANING: All precious metals, gemstones, and pearls should be cleaned regularly, but require different care. For example, ultrasonic cleaners can crack opals, shatter pearls or diminish their appearance. Avoid using steam and ultrasonic cleaners.
● For gemstones on the Mohs scale at 7 or above, a simple cleaning solution is warm water with mild soap and a soft toothbrush. For those at 6 or below, replace the toothbrush with a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth.
● A soft polishing cloth will keep any precious metal looking its best.
● Take any investment pieces to a trustworthy professional jeweler once a year for a thorough cleaning and inspection.
● See our full guide to How To Clean Fine Jewelry.
STORAGE: Keep jewelry individually stored in a pouch or box to avoid scratches and abrasions from other gemstones and metal, as well as general tangles and dents.
INSURANCE: For any jewelry of significant value, be sure to have it appraised, file any provenance and gemstone report in a secure place, and be sure to have it insured.