Peridot facts for kids
Peridot (say "pair-uh-dot" or "pair-uh-doe") is a beautiful green gemstone. It's actually a special, clear type of a common mineral called olivine. People think its name might come from the Arabic word faridat, which means "gem." Another idea is that it comes from the French word peritot, meaning "unclear."
Peridot is special because it's one of the few gemstones that only comes in one main color: green! The exact shade of green changes based on how much iron is inside the stone. It can be yellow-green, olive green, or even a bit brownish green. While olivine is a very common mineral, finding gem-quality peridot is quite rare. Peridot is also the birthstone for the month of August. Some people believe peridot brings good health, peaceful sleep, and helps balance feelings.
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What is Peridot?
Peridot is a type of the mineral olivine. Think of it like this: all peridot is olivine, but not all olivine is peridot. Only the clearest, most beautiful pieces of olivine are called peridot. This gemstone is formed deep inside the Earth. It often comes to the surface through volcanoes.
Peridot's Unique Green Color
Peridot is known for its bright, fresh green color. Unlike many other gemstones that get their color from tiny amounts of other minerals, peridot's green color comes from the iron that is naturally part of its own structure. The more iron there is, the deeper green the stone will be. This makes peridot a truly unique gem.
Where is Peridot Found?
Peridot is found in many places around the world. Some of the most famous places include the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona, USA. Other important sources are China, Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan, and Vietnam. Sometimes, peridot can even be found in meteorites that fall to Earth! These space rocks are called pallasite meteorites.
How Peridot is Used
Peridot has been used in jewelry for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians called it the "gem of the sun." They believed it protected them from evil spirits. Today, peridot is used in rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. It's a popular choice for August birthdays and for anyone who loves green gems.
Images for kids
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The tiny building blocks of olivine, showing oxygen (red), silicon (pink), and magnesium/iron (blue).
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A pallasite meteorite with olive-green peridot crystals, found in China.
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Peridot olivine found on volcanic rock called basalt.
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Peridot from the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona, USA.
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A beautiful olive green peridot gemstone.
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Peridot with some natural milky parts inside.
See also
In Spanish: Peridoto para niños
