Peridot

Two main theories exist regarding the origin of the word peridot: one traces it to the Arabic faridat (“precious stone”), while another associates it with the Greek chrysos lithos, meaning “golden stone.” Its colour — a bright green shifting from yellowish tones to deeper, olive hues — led to frequent confusion with emeralds in royal collections. Like diamonds, peridot forms deep within the Earth’s mantle. It reaches the surface only through tectonic movement and volcanic activity, travelling from several kilometres underground to the crust. First discovered on an island in the Red Sea, peridot is now mined in Myanmar, Pakistan, the United States, China and Vietnam. One of the largest known examples, a 310-carat stone, is housed at the Smithsonian Institution in Chicago. Its fresh, translucent green is admired for its clarity. In various traditions, peridot is associated with self-confidence and emotional balance, its gentle luminosity said to ease tension, jealousy or nervousness. In contemporary jewellery, designers such as Christina Magdolna and Grainne Morton use peridot in subtle accents, highlighting its pure, radiant green — both bright and refined.