Known as the extraterrestrial gemstone because it has been found in meteorites, peridot makes sensational jewelry and exceptional peridot eternity and engagement rings. 

Peridot is an idiochromatic gemstone, meaning that the color is intrinsic and that the gemstone is always the same color.  In the case of peridot, that is green.  However, it can be found in a range of hues from palest yellow green through golden lime greens to the deepest grass green.  Traditionally, the richest darker grass greens have been the most highly sought after, although different trends and preferences emerge from time to time.

Peridots are often clear gemstones with few apparent flaws, and when facetted, they split and bend the light in such as way as to give a velvet-like appearance with a  glorious rich glow.  But is probably their clarity and sensational color which makes them a firm favorite for jewelry, ranging from peridot earrings, peridot bracelets, peridot necklaces and pendants and of course, peridot rings.

Because they are green, the best quality peridots have traditionally been mistaken for emeralds.  Peridot rings are often prong set because this allows the maximum amount of light through the gemstone, making it flash with color.  However, with a hardness of only 6.5 compared with 10 of diamond, peridot is a relatively brittle gemstone.  To protect it more completely, it is can be set into a bezel (or rub over) setting in which the gemstone girdle is completely surrounded by a trace of precious metal.  Bezel set peridots can be completely surrounded by very small prong set diamonds, perfect for an engagement ring, or channel set for an eternity ring.  Check it out!

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