| This is a little-known gemstone in modern times but it | | | | Many people believe that this stone has the ability to |
| has gained in popularity partly by its use in the | | | | calm the nerves and foster a feeling of love among |
| American Southwest as part of Native American | | | | bearers. The bearer may also experience an increase |
| jewelry making. Peridot comes in one basic color with | | | | in patience and a general sense of vitality. Rumored |
| the intensity determined by the amount of iron in the | | | | to ward off nightmares the stone, like many crystals, |
| stone. Brilliant green in color the stone thought to be | | | | was known to possess healing properties and was |
| discovered some thirty five hundred years ago in | | | | said to promote a healthy mental outlook. Some say |
| areas around the Red Sea. The stone was | | | | that ancient users would grind up the stone and |
| rediscovered in the early twentieth century in Egypt | | | | ingest it to ward off thirst. Still others believe that |
| and has since been discovered across much of the | | | | peridot can ease the pain of childbirth, prevent heart |
| world and demand has continued to grow. The | | | | problems, reduce a fever and even slow down the |
| hardness of these stones makes them a great | | | | process of aging. |
| choice for ring jewelry though the job of cutting | | | | Color |
| these stones can be difficult given its crystalline | | | | The color varies from green, olive green to yellow |
| structure. | | | | and yellow brown depending on the amount of iron. |
| History | | | | Other trace minerals present in the stone do not |
| Popular with the ancient Egyptians with a name | | | | have an affect color. |
| derived from the Greek that means yellow stone. | | | | Artificial Enhancement |
| These stones can be found in a variety of spots | | | | There are no known forms of artificial enhancement |
| around the world. Peridot is found very often in fields | | | | used in the treatment of peridot stones. |
| of debris left behind by volcanic activity, including the | | | | General Scientific Information |
| islands of Hawaii where the goddess of volcanoes, | | | | The chemical name (MgFe)2SiO4 otherwise referred |
| Pele, was said to shed tears of peridot. The mineral | | | | to as magnesium iron silicate |
| found in places Arizona and the American Southwest | | | | Hardness ranges from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale - |
| are thought to originate from meteors crashing into | | | | the Mohs scale measures the hardness of metals, |
| the ancient Earth. Other places where peridot can be | | | | minerals, gemstones and crystals on a scale of 1 to |
| found include China and parts of Southeast Asia, | | | | 10. For example the hardness properties of most |
| Africa, mountainous regions of south-central Asia like | | | | quartz crystals fall around 7 on the scale, as does |
| Pakistan and even regions of South America. The | | | | steel and titanium. Diamond is the hardest known |
| common thread seems to be presence of volcanic or | | | | substance on the Mohs scale coming in at a hard 10. |
| meteoric activity. Long associated with ancient Egypt, | | | | To most consumers hardness generally reflects the |
| Queen Cleopatra thought these stones were actually | | | | stones able to resist scratches and cracks. |
| light green emeralds. | | | | Cleavage is weak but can improve when increased |
| Birthstone InformationThis unusual stone is used to | | | | iron is present. |
| represent the summer month of August and its | | | | The birefringence is strong and ranges between |
| bright color can represent the glow of a late-day | | | | 0.035 and 0.038. |
| summer sun. Astrological signs associated with this | | | | The refraction ranges between 1.635 and 1.673. |
| stone include Sagittarius, Libra, Virgo, Leo and Scorpio. | | | | The specific gravity ranges between 3.22 and 3. |
| New Age Beliefs and Powers Through The Ages | | | | |