Birthstones
Traditionally, a special stone, a birthstone, has been
selected to celebrate each month of the calendar year. Please click on the months below to view
information on each of the months' birthstones. The birthstones described here are for the
stones most commonly accepted in the United States as the birthstone of the month.
If you are interested in purchasing a gem, feel free to e-mail
us or call us on our toll free
number, 800-659-4367. We will gladly describe and quote price on a specific
gemstone. Our sales staff and goldsmiths can assist you in designing and constructing
a custom piece, and turn your gem into a treasured family heirloom.
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P E R I D O T |::| Mohs' Hardness 6.5 - 7
A likely reason peridot has never achieved wide popularity may be due to the fact that most consumers have never seen a fine
peridot. The typical peridot jewelry piece normally is constructed with a pale, somewhat washed out, inexpensive example
of this green stone.
Fine peridot is a vivid, dark apple green color, and when cut to proper proportions is full of life and brilliance. Peridot is
somewhat soft, and care should be taken in its everyday wearing. Large stones are rare, and price goes up quickly for nicer
stones over five or six carats in weight.
Peridot is mined in several locations, and it is typically found in areas of prior volcanic activity. The most recent large find
is in China, and quantities of gem grade material are found in Arizona.
It is correct to pronounce peridot as peri-dough, as well as perri-dot, and it may also be correctly referred to as olivine.
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