Gemstone Spotlight: Peridot

Jewelry CareGemstone Spotlight
Written By Michelle Pajak-Reynolds
A collection of tumble polished peridot beads. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

A collection of tumble polished peridot beads. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

Peridot History and Lore

Peridot’s green commands attention. Think fresh spring leaves or a crisp green apple. Bright, happy, impossible to ignore. Its name, peridot (PAIR-uh-doe or PAIR-uh-dot), comes from the Arabic word faridat, which basically means “gem.” And it really has earned that name over thousands of years.

The ancient Egyptians thought it was the “gem of the sun.” They believed it could keep nightmares away, calm your mind, and bring good luck. Back then, it was mined on a tiny island called Topazios, now known as Zabargad. So rare it was a secret treasure only for pharaohs.

Hawaii tells a different story. Tiny green crystals wash up on Papakōlea Beach. Locals say they’re the tears of Pele, goddess of fire and volcanoes. Some call them “Hawaiian Diamonds” and consider them fierce, sacred, and magical.

Peridot is August’s modern birthstone and a favorite for 16th wedding anniversaries. A little symbol of light and love that lasts.

 

Origins and Gemology

Peridot is the gem-quality variety of olivine, a mineral forged not in the Earth’s crust, like most gemstones, but deep within its mantle. Alongside diamond, it is one of the only two gems born of molten rock from our planet’s fiery heart, carried to the surface through volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. In rare instances, peridot arrives to us not from this world, but from the stars; encased in ancient meteorites that fell from the cosmos.

Slice of meteorite containing traces of the mineral olivine. Peridot is the gemstone quality form of olivine. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

Slice of meteorite containing traces of the mineral olivine. Peridot is the gemstone quality form of olivine. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

Peridot’s color palette ranges from golden lime to the deep green of moss after rain, with iron content influencing the saturation and hue. The purest specimens glow with a vibrant green untouched by brown or yellow undertones.

While Egypt’s storied mines have been depleted, peridot continues to be unearthed in Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, China, and the United States. The richest modern deposit lies in Arizona’s San Carlos Apache Reservation, where generations of Apache families have carried on the tradition of peridot mining.

Caring for peridot jewelry

Though peridot is a stone of ancient strength, it requires a tender touch. To keep your jewelry sparkling:

  • Gently clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush.

  • Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth.

  • Avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners, which can damage the stone’s structure.

  • Store peridot separately from harder gems like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies to prevent surface scratches.

Treat your peridot pieces as you would any ancient talisman; with reverence and care, honoring both the craftsmanship and the earth from which they came.

Why Peridot is Special

Peridot isn’t just a green stone. It’s a little piece of the Earth’s molten heart and sometimes a touch of starlight. Wear it for the color, the story, or just because it makes you happy.

Peridot Jewelry




Please note, all metaphysical and healing properties listed are collected from a variety of sources and shared for educational, historical and entertainment purposes only. The authors and Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Studios LLC do not guarantee the validity of such statements nor is any of this information meant to treat medical conditions. If you have a medical concern, please consult your medical provider for appropriate treatment options.

Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

The creative journey of Michelle Pajak-Reynolds—from childhood spark to timeless, handcrafted treasures.

“My love story with jewelry began before I was born. My parents met across a jewelry counter—my mother, a jewelry department manager; my father, a police officer working loss prevention in his off-duty hours. That moment of serendipity set everything in motion.

By five, I was working on my first designs in pop-beads and jelly bracelets, completely captivated by Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman—especially those iconic power bracelets and her gleaming tiara. I didn’t want to just wear magic, I wanted to make it. With babysitting money and a fierce sense of purpose, I bought beads and wire from the local craft store and taught myself the fundamentals. That curiosity turned into a calling.

I took my first metalsmithing class in high school and never looked back. I went on to earn a BFA in Jewelry/Metals from Kent State University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Baldwin-Wallace University—equipping me to build a business rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and soul.

Since founding my namesake jewelry company in 2001, I’ve focused on creating meaningful, one-of-a-kind designs—each one handcrafted using traditional metalsmithing techniques and ethically sourced materials. My work is intimate and intentional: forged in fire, shaped by hand, and designed to stir something deep within you. Every gemstone, every metal, every story that inspires a collection is carefully chosen, researched, and refined. This is slow jewelry with a purpose: to help you mark what matters most.

My pieces have graced red carpets at the Emmy Awards, runways at New York Fashion Week, and exhibitions around the world—including aboard the United Nations Peace Boat. Collectors, stylists, and editors seek out my work, but what means the most to me is when a client says, “This feels like it was made just for me.”

Because it was.

Jewelry, to me, is personal mythology made tangible. It’s a way of preserving the past, celebrating the present, and passing something meaningful into the future. So when you open your jewelry box, you're not just looking at beautiful objects—you're holding pieces of your life’s story. And maybe, just maybe, you're beginning a new chapter.” - Michelle Pajak-Reynolds

michellepajakreynolds.com
Previous

Sapphire: The Celestial Stone of Wisdom and Royal Legacy
Next

Gemstone Spotlight: Chrome Diopside