Olivine, of which peridot is a type, is a fairly common mineral but gem quality peridot is rather rare. It has fascinated humans for thousands of years. Many historians suspect that at least some of the emeralds worn by Cleopatra were actually peridot. The stone is thought to bring the wearer success, peace and good luck. 

Peridot has been mined as a gemstone for an estimated four thousand years or better. Early miners looked for peridot at night because they believed that light from the moon made the crystals easier to find. They marked the locations of the crystals and then came back in the daylight to dig them up.

Gem quality peridot comes from the ancient source of Zagbargad Island in the Red Sea located off the coast of Egypt, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Brazil, Pakistan, Germany, Mexico, Australia, San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona and Salt Lake Crater on the island of Oahu. The best quality peridot has historically come either from Myanmar or Egypt. But in 1994 a new deposit of peridot was discovered in Pakistan which produces some exceptional stones. This mine is located in the Nanga Parbat region in the far west of the Himalayan Mountains in the Pakistani part of Kashmir.

Most of the world production of peridot comes from Arizona. Although the Arizona gem material is of lesser quality, it is much more abundant and therefore more affordable. Gems from Myanmar, Pakistan and Egypt are rarer and of finer quality. Thus, they are quite valuable, approaching the per carat prices of top gemstones. Possibly the most unusual peridot is that which comes from iron-nickel meteorites called pallasites. A famous Pallasite was offered for auction in April 2008 with a requested price of close to $3 million, but remained unsold. Peridot is the only gemstone found in meteorites.

Peridot is a gemstone you should definitely get to know better. Its fine color is the perfect complement to a summer wardrobe.

Available in amounts from $5  to $1,000, they can even be emailed. It's the perfect gift idea for last minute shoppers. Never be late again with this instant gift option.