The Incredible Impact of Peridot

Peridot is a gemstone whose history is filled with mythology, lore & discovery. It is believed that the term peridot may come from the Arabic word faridat, which means gem. Some also believe that it comes from the Greek word peridona, which means giving plenty. The Egyptians mined peridot on the Red Sea island of Zabargad, which is now known as St. John’s Island. They believed that peridot had magical properties that included protection from nightmares and provided good luck and power. They also called it the “gem of the sun.” In Hawaiian culture, peridot is associated with Pele, the volcano goddess. Peridot has also been mined in Burma, Pakistan & Brazil. Today, the largest sources of peridot are the United States, Myanmar, Pakistan, and the Himalayas. The most productive deposit is on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona, which supplies an estimated 80-95% of the world’s peridot. Sometimes, peridot has been confused with other gems, including emerald.