| PERIDOT (pronounced PEAR-ih-doh)
Peridot is the best-known gem variety of
olivine. This bright yellow-green to green gemstone, the birthstone for the
month of August, has caught the fancy of humans for thousands of years. Some
historians even suspect that at least some of the "emeralds" worn by
Cleopatra were actually peridot.
It is composed of magnesium iron
silicate. And is created under great temperatures and pressures deep within
the Earth and is sometimes extruded in basaltic lavas.
It has been mined as a gemstone for an
estimated four thousand years. Currently, the United States is the basic
supplier of peridot to the world gemstone industry. Peridot Mesa, located
on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation east of Globe, Arizona is
estimated to produce 80% to 95% of the world's supply. Native Americans
only, can mine peridot on the reservation. Other deposits are found in New
Mexico, China, Pakistan, Egypt, Myanmar and other areas of the globe with a
volcanic past. Hawaiian legend holds that peridot is the goddess Pele's
tears.
As with all gems, protect peridot from
scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid drastic temperature changes. Do not
clean peridot in a home ultrasonic cleaner
|
