Peridot Jewelry

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

Paraiba Engagement Ring

I was recently asked to create an engagement ring using Paraiba stones. These are the stones that I presented to the client.

Paraiba is one of the most rare and most beautiful stones in the world. Paraiba were originally found in in the late 1980’s in the state of Paraiba, Brazil. They are in fact tourmaline stones with minute amounts of copper. The combination creates an electric color. New Brazilian mined stones are no longer being found in any significant quantities. Strikes in Africa have produced new finds. Prices of Paraiba can go for up to $15,000 to $20,000 per carat for the highest quality Brazilian stones with electric coloring. The above stones are a comparative bargain at between $1,500 to $2,000 per carat and weigh between 2.2 cts and 4.06 cts. They have wonderful color saturation which is the hallmark of a Paraiba stone. The lower price is in large part driven by these being African stones, yet they still have a classic Paraiba beauty.
Paraiba is far more rare than even exceptionally high quality diamonds. A Paraiba engagement ring makes for a bold statement and an exquisite piece of jewelry.
Related:
- Paraiba Gemstones

Gemstones Jewelry

Choosing the right gemstones for your jewelry is a critical aspect for creating the perfect piece of jewelry.  Creating the right combination of color in your gemstones defines the jewelry and is about as important as anything in establishing an outstanding jewelry design.  Here are a few gemstone color combinations that I love.  Let me know which ones you best prefer in the comments section:

a. Emerald and Aquamarine  Gemstones:

b. Tourmaline and Iolite Gemstones:

c. Aquamarine and White Sapphire Gemstones:

d. Citrine and Red / Purplish Garnet Gemstones:

Related Links
 - Sozai Custom-Designed Jewelry