The facts
What peridot actually is
The species behind peridot is olivine (forsterite–fayalite), (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄; it forms in the orthorhombic system.
Iron — an idiochromatic stone, the colour is the chemistry is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.654–1.690 and a specific gravity of about 3.27–3.48, with imperfect cleavage.
Where peridot comes from
Commercial material comes from Zabargad, Egypt (historic), San Carlos, Arizona, USA, Sapat, Pakistan, Myanmar and China.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
Is peridot treated?
None normally. Fracture filling exists.
That makes disclosure simple: there is nothing to declare. It also means a seller offering a "treated" version of this material is offering something else.
What peridot is confused with
Watch for Chrome diopside, Tsavorite, Green tourmaline and Moldavite — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.654–1.690 and specific gravity 3.27–3.48 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What peridot is used for
The trades that buy peridot are jewellery, mineral collecting and sauna stones. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 6.5–7; cleavage imperfect. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Hardness is not the whole story. Perfect cleavage means the stone can split cleanly if struck along the wrong plane, whatever its Mohs number, so a protective setting matters more here than the hardness suggests.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What peridot costs
Expect roughly $20–400/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is peridot treated?
None normally. Fracture filling exists.
Where does peridot come from?
Zabargad, Egypt (historic), San Carlos, Arizona, USA, Sapat, Pakistan, Myanmar and China. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is peridot hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but imperfect cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does peridot cost?
Indicatively $20–400/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is peridot confused with?
Most often Chrome diopside, Tsavorite, Green tourmaline and Moldavite. A refractive index of 1.654–1.690 and a specific gravity near 3.27–3.48 separate it quickly.
What is peridot used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting and sauna stones. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for peridot?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about peridot