The Olive Couloured Stone of August ...

Peridot is the gem variety of forsterite. It's a silicate of iron, magnesium and silica. It's an idiochromatic stone, which means it's only found in a very small range of colors. Unlike tourmaline for example, which can be of all colors, the peridot can only be green.

Peridots, diamonds, white gold ring, Boucheron 

Unlike other gems, formed in the Earth’s crust, peridot (like diamond) is formed deeper, in the mantle.
It's a very pure stone, with few inclusions and is therefore very transparent and of good quality.

Peridot, diamonds, yellow gold earrings, Van Cleef And Arpels 

HISTORY OF PERIDOT

The etymology of the word peridot is unknown, but there are several theories. It either comes from the Latin word “paederos” meaning love, or the Arabic word “faridat” which means precious stone.
The first stones were discovered during Antiquity, 3500 years ago, on the volcanic island of Zabagrad, Egypt.
Egyptians used it to cure liver pains, and then, during the Middle Ages, it was used as an aphrodisiac. A symbol of love, Napoleon Ist gifted several stones to Josephine.
Pliny the Elder describes peridot as “a green and transparent stone, with captivating beauty”.

Citrine, peridots, diamonds, yellow gold ring, Bulgari

MINING

The Egyptian mines are no longer exploited. The most important mines today are Arizona (USA), South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Burma and China. In Hawaii you can find beaches covered in peridot crystals polished by the ocean ... 

Peridot, diamonds, yellow gold “Diorama” ring, Dior

JEWELERY

Peridot is very often used in jewelry and high jewelry for its purity and remarkable transparency. It adorns creations of big houses such as Van Cleef And Arpels, Dior, Bulgari, Chaumet, Boucheron, Lydia Courteille …

Citrine, peridots, diamonds, yellow gold earrings, Chaumet

If you are interested in peridot, don’t hesitate to discover what les Pierres de Julie have to offer in the store…

We are also available for any free expertise of your peridot jewelry, for that you can send an email with your photos to contact@lespierresdejulie.com.

Whether you're interested in buying a piece of jewellery or a stone, a free jewelry appraisal or jewelry resale, Pierres de Julie welcomes you to its Parisian boutique in the Village Suisse, a stone's throw from the Ecole Militaire and the Esplanade des Invalides.