Are you curious about the distinction between peridot and emerald? Look no further!
Peridot vs. Emerald
Peridot and emerald are two popular green gemstones that have been used for centuries in jewelry and other decorative purposes. While they may look similar at first glance, they have distinct differences in their composition, origin, and symbolism.
Peridot is a mineral that belongs to the olivine group and is typically found in volcanic rocks, while emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl and is commonly found in sedimentary rocks. Both gems have a rich history and are valued for their beauty and unique properties.
Within this educational guide, I will provide responses to inquiries such as:
- Is Peridot Grown in a Lab authentic?
- What Sets Green Beryl Apart from Emerald Beryl?
- Is Treated Emerald Authentic Emerald?
Differences between Emerald and Peridot
- Peridot stones are usually eye-clean, while emeralds often have visible inclusions.
- The green color of peridot comes from iron in the crystal structure, while the green of emeralds is due to chromium impurities in a colorless beryl crystal.
- Emerald is a precious gemstone, while peridot is considered semi-precious.
- Peridot is the birthstone for August, while emerald is associated with May birthdays.
Origin – Peridot vs. Emerald
Peridot
Peridot is an ancient gemstone made of magnesium and iron rich silicate minerals. It belongs to the olivine mineral group and has been used for ages.
Despite not being expensive or rare, peridot is not well-known outside of being the August birthstone. However, it is used in new age practices for its healing properties.
Peridot is known for its health benefits and stress reduction properties. In the crystal healing community, it is considered a green gemstone associated with wellness.
Peridot can be found all around the world, with the biggest sources being in Egypt, Myanmar, Norway, Arizona and New Mexico.
Overall, peridot is an easily accessible gemstone with a rich history and health benefits, making it a valuable addition to anyone’s life.
Emerald
Emeralds belong to the beryl mineral family and are one of the four precious gemstones. They are medium to dark green in color and are often used in fine jewelry. The beryl family also includes other popular gemstones such as aquamarine and morganite.
These gemstones have been revered since ancient times, and during Cleopatra’s reign, they reached the height of their popularity. In those times, emeralds were fashioned into beads or cabochons for brooches.
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In addition to their use in jewelry, emeralds also have metaphysical and astrological properties. They are associated with themes of health, clairvoyance, awareness, and healing, both for emotional and physical heart-related ailments.
The most notable sources of emerald deposits are Columbia, Zambia, and Brazil, while Afghanistan and Egypt have deposits of lesser quality.
Appearance – Peridot vs. Emerald
Peridot
Peridot is a gemstone that can be found in many shades of yellow to lime green, with both light and dark tones. The green coloration of peridot is due to the presence of iron in its chemical makeup. Generally, peridot with excellent clarity is easy to come by, as the gemstone is commonly transparent.
However, while tiny bubble inclusions may exist in the crystal, they shouldn’t impede its beauty.
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Imitations and Synthetics
Although lab-created peridot exists, it’s not widely used in fine jewelry. Natural peridot is readily available and is not considered rare or expensive. Simulated peridots made of materials such as cubic zirconia or colored glass can be found on online marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy.
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Additionally, other green gemstones like emeralds, epidote, green garnets, green sapphire, green quartz, and green beryl can be mistaken for peridot.
Emerald
Although emerald and peridot are both green gemstones, they have distinct differences in how their color is formed. Emeralds are created when chromium impurities enter a colorless beryl crystal.
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Conversely, the green color in peridot stones comes from the amount of iron in their chemical structure. Another key difference is that emeralds can only be a medium to deep hue, whereas lighter hues are classified as green beryl and are less valuable and desirable.
Imitations and Synthetics
The majority of natural emeralds worldwide undergo some form of treatment to enhance their color or clarity. This practice is common for many gemstones, but it can impact their value and authenticity. In contrast, synthetic emeralds are easy to find and are naturally crystal clear with a perfectly saturated hue, requiring no additional treatments.
Interestingly, the same materials and minerals can imitate both emerald and peridot jewelry. Glass is the most commonly used simulated emerald material. While these simulated gems may have a similar appearance to natural emeralds or peridots, they lack the inherent value and uniqueness of the natural gemstones.
Finally, while natural emeralds often undergo treatment to enhance their appearance, synthetic emeralds require no such modifications and are easily available. Additionally, simulated gems can mimic the appearance of natural emeralds or peridots but lack their intrinsic value and rarity.
Price and Value – Peridot vs. Emerald
The cost difference between emerald and peridot is significant. High-quality peridot stones are typically priced around $25 per carat. In contrast, mined and untreated emeralds can cost up to $100,000 per carat, with the price being influenced by various factors such as gem treatments and origin.
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Although emeralds are often worn as diamond alternatives in engagement rings, they may not be ideal for everyday wear due to their tendency to fracture when accidentally hit against a hard surface. This is not the case with peridot, making it a more durable option for daily use.
While emeralds have a higher hardness level of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale, peridot’s hardness level is between 6.5-7. While peridot may be more resistant to damage from bumps, it is not as resistant to daily scratching from dust and dirt particles. Therefore, it is essential to clean peridot jewelry regularly when worn.
Conclusion
Emerald and peridot share the same color, but differ greatly in popularity and rarity. Emeralds are highly coveted and can cost tens of thousands more per carat than a 1 carat peridot.
Peridot is less common and not as highly sought after as emerald, but it is a better choice for daily wear due to its greater clarity.
Despite the cost difference, both emerald and peridot make beautiful jewelry suitable for any occasion.
To sum up, while emerald is the more precious and popular of the two gemstones, peridot is a practical choice for daily wear and offers its own unique charm.
