Shining with a bright green glow even at night, Peridot was called the “gem of the sun” by the ancient Egyptians and the “evening Emerald” by Romans. Peridot was the favorite gemstone of Cleopatra.
Peridot is mentioned in the Bible along with other gems as part of the fabled Breastplates of the Jewish High Priest Aaron. The Crusaders brought Peridot to Central Europe in the Middle Ages, where it is found in many medieval churches.
The largest cut Peridot was found on the island Zabargad (St John) in the Red Sea, weighting 310ct. It currently resides in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.
In Russia there are several examples of Peridots cut from crystals found in meteorites. One specifically which came down in eastern Siberia in 1749.
 |
Peridot while an enticing colour is not especially hard - 6.5-7 on the Moh's scale, so care should be taken in the design of jewellery it is intended for.
Colour
Intense, deep saturated green shade are the most popular colour at present. while pastel tones have from time to time been popular as fashions dictates. The best colored examples contain in addition to iron, trace amounts of chromium which impart an almost Emerald appearance to the stones
Lighting
Peridot looks best in natural sunlight where the true beauty of the gems simple sparkles. In artificial light some of this intrinsic fire is lost.
Clarity
Peridot is a transparent commonly eye clean stone, and as such there is no reason to purchase an included example. Peridot cat's eye (Chatoyancy) and star peridot (Asterism showing a four rayed star) are known, but uncommon.
Cut
Simple table and step cuts are popular (octagons and rectangles). Sometimes Peridot gets a brilliant cut especially if the stone is somewhat paler than normal, and a more intense lustre is required.
 |
For more Peridot and other gemstones, visit our website at www.touchstonegems.co.za
No comments:
Post a Comment