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Mohs Hardness: 6.5-7
Specific Gravity: 3.22-3.45
Reflective Index: 1.635-1.690
History: Peridot, a gem variety of the
mineral olivine, was
mined on St. John's
Island (also called Zebirget) in the Red
Sea, as early as 1300 B.C. At that time
the island was known
as topazios, and the
green gems were called "Topaz." The Eg-
yptian kings favored these gems, which
were often mined under
very harsh conditions. It
is said that pirates discovered
peridot on Zebirget, but the island was
often hidden by heavy
fog and its location
was lost for centuries.
Zebirget and the
peridot mines were rediscovered in the 1900s.
Lore: Peridot is a gem that's been connected to superstition
throughout
the ages. Associated with the sun, peridot is
bel-
ieved to have the power
to break evil spells and dispel the
mysteries of the dark. During
the middle Ages people word
peridot to gain foresight and divine inspiration.
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