Cabinet · Putika
Peridot
A volcanic green olivine — the evening emerald of older cabinets.
- Graha
- Mercury / Sun (Budha)
- Colour
- Lime olive
- Hardness
- 6.5–7 Mohs
- Metal
- Gold
- Finger
- Little finger
- Day
- Wednesday
In the cabinet
Peridot is gem olivine, born in lava and, rarely, in meteorites. The best stones are a pure lime without too much brown, usually from Pakistan’s Kaghan valley or Arizona. It is August’s birthstone.
In the tradition
Older jewellers called fine peridot evening emerald. In some Indian lists it is worn as a lighter Mercury stone.
Usual origins. Pakistan, Arizona, Myanmar, Egypt (historic)
A note from the counter. Peridot can look sleepy under cool LEDs. Judge it in mixed daylight.
