Color check: Natural peridot runs yellow-green → olive, sometimes with a soft golden undertone. If it’s a pure, glassy emerald green with no yellow at all—or if it looks overly neon—the stone may be glass or another green gem. Look for bubbles vs. inclusions: Under a 10× loupe, glass imitations often show perfectly round gas bubbles or swirly flow lines. Natural peridot can be very clean, but when you do see inclusions they’re often “lily pads” (disc-like halos around a tiny crystal or pinpoint). Line doubling: Tilt the stone and look through the table at the facet edges on the far side. Peridot is doubly refractive, so you may notice a subtle doubling of those edges. (Glass and cubic zirconia won’t show this.) Facet edges & wear: Because peridot is Mohs ~6.5–7, well-cut stones hold crisp, sharp facet junctions. On glass, facet edges are more prone to rounding and abrasion. Weight & feel (weak clues): Peridot is denser than common glass, so a same-size peridot may feel a touch heavier and cooler to the touch—but use these as supporting clues only. Avoid scratch tests; they can permanently damage the gem and aren’t reliable for non-experts.

Peridot isn’t rare overall—but truly fine peridot is. Commercial-quality peridot (the bright yellow-green you see in most jewelry) is relatively abundant and consistently mined. What’s uncommon—and therefore more valuable—are stones with saturated, even “grass-green” color, excellent clarity, and larger sizes (think 5–10+ carats), especially from coveted origins.

Peridot symbolizes renewal, optimism, and heart-centered clarity. Long celebrated as August’s birthstone—and nicknamed the “gem of the sun”—it’s traditionally linked with warmth, protection on new journeys, and the steady confidence to grow.

Yes—with mindful care. It’s ~6.5–7 Mohs; avoid hard knocks, extreme heat, and ultrasonic cleaning.

Clean peridot with lukewarm water + a drop of mild dish soap, a soft brush, rinse well, and pat dry. Avoid ultrasonic/steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, sudden temperature changes, and hard knocks. Store pieces separately and put jewelry on last/take it off first.

Primarily Arizona (USA), Pakistan, Myanmar, China, and Vietnam, with historic material from Egypt’s Zabargad Island.

Yellow gold for warmth and glow; sterling or white gold for a clean, cool contrast.

They’re distinct gemstones. Emerald is beryl; peridot is olivine. Peridot’s green comes from iron in the crystal and is naturally vibrant.