From early times through the middle ages, Peridot was considered a symbol of the sun. An early Greek manuscript indicated that Peridot bestows royal dignity on the wearer. The Egyptians fashioned Peridot beads as early as 1580-1350 BC. It was brought to Europe by Crusaders in the Middle Ages and was often used for ecclesiastical purposes. During the Ottoman empire (1300-1918) Turkish sultans amassed the world’s largest collection. Very popular during Baroque period. The largest cut Peridot weighs 310 carats and was found on the island of St. John, in the Red Sea. It is currently on display in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Other Large cut stones: 192.75 carats belonging to czars in Moscow, 146 carats in the Geological Museum in London. The intensity and tint of the green depends on how much iron it contains.
Peridot also occurs in certain types of meteorites. In Russia, there are some cut Peridots that came out of a meteorite which fell in 1749 in east Siberia!
Peridot is the birthstone for August. Peridot goes well with white and yellow gold as well as silver. And of course, Peridot goes well surrounded by a Halo of diamonds in a pair of beautiful earrings or pendant.
Orthorhombic. Indistinct cleavage double refraction. Olivine.
Hardness 6 ½ -7
It is very nice blog about jewelry thanks for sharing yhis blog to us
ReplyDeleteCustom Greek Jewelry