With a Mohs Hardness rating of 6.5 to 7.0, it is softer than many gems and those wearing it daily should use caution to avoid damaging the gem. When storing, keep gems away from harder stones and jewelry to prevent scratching. Peridots are common in many pieces of jewelry-from necklaces and rings to earrings and bracelets. The largest known peridot, weighing in at 310 carats, is part of the collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.In addition to being the birthstone for August, peridot is also the gemstone given for a 16th wedding anniversary.In 2005, peridot was found in comet dust upon the return of the Stardust space probe.Romans used the stones to protect against enchantment. In the Middle Ages, peridots were worn to provide foresight and inspiration.And it is not the only time the gem was confused for an emerald: the 200 carat stones that made up the Three Holy Kings shrine in Germany’s Cologne Cathedral were also found to be peridots!
In fact, it is thought that a portion of Cleopatra’s emerald collection was in fact made up of peridots.
For many years, the gem was often confused for emeralds. Peridots have a rich history dating back to ancient Egyptian times, when deposits were found on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea. The gem can also be found in China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Africa, and Pakistan. Today, the San Carlos Apache Reservation in southeastern Arizona is responsible for the majority of the world’s peridot supply. In the 1990s, deposits were discovered in Pakistan, producing some of the finest peridots ever found. Pliny the Elder, an ancient Roman naturalist, is among those who have written about the island and its gemstones. Peridots were first recorded on Topazios, a small island in the Red Sea now known as St. Rarely, it is found inside meteorites, with some crystals dating back more than 4 billion years. It is often found in volcanic rocks known as basalts. Peridot is the name given to gem-quality olivine, which is a mineral that forms deep in Earth’s mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanic activity. For years, peridot beads and talismans were believed to offer protection, as well as promote love, happiness, and wealth. At one time, it was also thought to improve memory and ease labor and delivery. Peridots were seen as a way to help with respiratory ailments, insomnia, and bleeding. According to Hawaiian religious beliefs, peridots are said to be the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes and the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. Egyptian priests believed it held the power of nature, using goblets encrusted with peridots to communicate with nature gods. Some strung the peridot on donkey hair and tied it around their left arms in an attempt to ward off evil spirits. Ancient Egyptians called the peridot the “gem of the Sun,” as they believed it protected those who wore it from the terrors of the night. Given its resemblance to the color of money, peridot has often been associated with prosperity and good fortune. Some believe it is derived from the Arabic faridat, meaning “gem,” or from the Greek word, peridona, which means “give in abundance.” It is unclear where the name “peridot” originated. Peridot Meanings, Symbolism, and Folklore For this reason, it is sometimes called “Evening Emerald”. Peridot is both a day stone and a night stone, keeping its shining color even under artificial lighting. 
Ferrous iron (FeO) creates the green color, while ferric iron (Fe 2O 3) is responsible for the more yellow shades. Peridots are made up of a chemical composition that includes iron and magnesium, and the color depends on the amount and type of iron that is present. However, peridot can vary in shade from yellow-green to olive to brown-green. This is unlike many other gems, whose colors come from impurities. It’s one of the few gemstones that comes in a single color, too. Best known for its lime-green color, the peridot receives its envious coloration from the composition of the mineral olivine.
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