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LILY DIA

Peridot Stone Guide

Jared James, co-founder of LILY DIA

By Jared James · Last updated 17 May 2026

Quick answer

Peridot is the gem-quality variety of olivine, a green mineral that forms deep in the earth's mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanic activity. It rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, which is durable enough for everyday wear with reasonable care, but it benefits from protective settings in rings.

What peridot is

Peridot is olivine coloured by trace iron. The green is intrinsic to the mineral, so peridot is one of the few gemstones that comes in only one colour. Peridot has also been found in meteorites called pallasites and in samples from Mars, which is unusual among gems.

Colour and look

Yellow-green to olive green to brownish green. The most prized colour is a vivid, saturated lime green without brown undertones, often associated with stones from Pakistan's Kashmir region. Larger stones show colour more strongly.

Hardness and durability

Peridot is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale with fair toughness. Suitable for rings worn carefully, earrings, pendants and bracelets. Protective settings extend the life of peridot rings. Avoid sudden temperature changes and harsh chemicals.

What to look for

Colour saturation and purity drive value. Pure vivid lime green is the most valued. Eye-clean clarity is the norm at small to medium sizes. Larger stones may show fine inclusions. Cut quality matters because peridot has noticeable double refraction.

Treatments and origins

Peridot is almost always untreated. Major sources include the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona, Pakistan's Kashmir region, Myanmar, China and Vietnam. The historical island of Zabargad in the Red Sea was the ancient Egyptian source.

Best uses

Earrings, pendants, dress rings and bracelets. Peridot pairs well with yellow gold for a warm, sunny look. Peridot cocktail rings and drop earrings stay accessible at large sizes. Peridot is the August birthstone.

Care

Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Protect from sharp impacts and harsh chemicals. Store separately from harder gems.

Price

Peridot is affordable at most sizes. Pakistani Kashmir peridot with strong colour and clean clarity commands a real premium. Arizona peridot is widely available at sensible prices. Meteoritic peridot is a collector's niche.

Designing a custom ring

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Coloured-stone engagement and dress rings are made to order. Tell us what you have in mind and we will help you compare stone options, metal choices and settings.

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Other gemstones to compare

  1. #01

    Garnet

    Garnet is a family of related minerals that share a crystal structure but produce very different colours.

  2. #02

    Tourmaline

    Tourmaline occurs in more colours than any other gemstone, from pink rubellite to blue indicolite to the electric blue-green Paraiba variety.

  3. #03

    Amethyst

    Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz, coloured by iron and natural radiation.

Frequently asked questions

Why is peridot always green?
The green comes from iron, which is part of olivine's basic chemistry. The colour is inherent to the mineral, so peridot does not occur in other colours.
Is peridot suitable for a ring?
Yes, with reasonable care. At 6.5 to 7 Mohs it is durable enough for daily wear but softer than the precious stones. A protective bezel or halo setting extends the life of a peridot ring.
Are peridots treated?
Most peridot is completely untreated, which is unusual for coloured stones and one of its strongest selling points.
Is peridot really found in meteorites?
Yes. Stony-iron pallasite meteorites contain olivine crystals that can be cut as peridot. These are rare collector pieces rather than mainstream jewellery stones.

Still deciding

Talk through peridot with us

Send what you have in mind, even if that is only a colour, a budget and a piece of jewellery type, and we will help you compare options.

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