Peridot – a beautiful green stone with many names

Peridot – a beautiful green stone with many names

Description: Peridot (also known as olivine) has an oily lustre and owes its colour to its iron content. Chrysolite is one of its varieties, but the yellow-green grassy colour of peridot is much richer and more saturated. The olive-green mineral is called olivine, the yellow variety chrysolite, and the grass-green variety peridot. Some specimens turn dark green in subdued light, earning them the name “evening emeralds”. Peridot is usually transparent, and large specimens are uncommon. There is also a rare type of white peridot called boltonite. Similar mineral: transparent epidote.

Chakra: heart

Deposits: The finest specimens – clear, yellow-green crystals – are mined on the Egyptian island of Zabargad in the Red Sea; also in the USA, Norway, Myanmar and Italy around Vesuvius. Other sources include Egypt, China, Myanmar, Brazil, Norway, Arizona (grass green), Hawaii (olive), Australia, Burma and South Africa. In Bulgaria it has been identified only as a rock-forming mineral.

Colour: yellow, yellow-green to dark green

Legends: In ancient times, people believed it protected its owners from misfortune and drove away evil spirits and fear of the dark. According to one tradition, Moses wore olivine in his breastplate as a protective stone against calamity. During the Middle Ages it was considered one of the principal healing minerals, believed to influence melancholic states.

People in Ancient Egypt and around the Mediterranean obtained peridot from the island of Zabargad in the Red Sea. It was highly prized and considered sacred. Its Arabic name means “precious stone”. At certain times it was even more expensive than diamonds.

The exact origin of its name is unknown – it is probably a distorted Eastern name for olivine. The stones described by Pliny the Elder that came from the island of Zabargad were known at the time as topazos. Zabargad Island continues to produce beautiful olivine and peridot.

The Romans wore it to protect themselves from magic, deception and depression. During the Middle Ages it was used to obtain the gifts of prophecy, inspiration and eloquence. It was often part of religious objects.

The Aztecs, Incas, Toltecs and ancient Egyptians used peridot to calm, purify and balance the energy of the physical body.

Properties of Peridot (Olivine):

It is most often regarded as a stone of the zodiac sign Virgo (and can be used as a substitute for Emerald for those who wish to strengthen Mercury – the planet of trade, communication and the mind). Some astrologers also associate it with the Sun.

Peridot is believed to reduce stress and stimulate the mind and intuition. It balances and calms the emotions and is also said to strengthen intellectual abilities. It brings inspiration and improves inner vision. It may soften jealousy and anger. Some people may find its ability to stimulate growth and change too intense; in that case, wear it together with amethyst or citrine to soften its influence.

Peridot is believed to synchronise the subtle bodies and strengthen the desire for personal growth, thereby opening doors to new opportunities. It may help you discover your destiny or purpose in life and prepare you for new adventures and challenges. It is also said to drive away evil spirits.

Peridot is a beautiful and gentle stone because of its fresh grass colour and because of its supposed ability to guide you into a new cycle of life.

If you feel stuck and unable to move forward, take a peridot and two candles – one white and one green. Place the stone between them on your altar. Light them. Close your eyes and imagine yourself standing before a closed door symbolising the changes and progress you want in your future life. Mentally open the door, stand in the radiant light streaming from it, and then step inside.

It is believed to inspire emotional balance, security and inner peace.

If you cannot open the door or become tired of trying, extinguish the candles and try again another evening. You may need to practise this visualisation for several days before you are able to cross the threshold. Once you pass through the door, you may see something entirely unexpected that had never occurred to you before.

Healing properties (Please never undertake treatment without a specialist. Stones are not a substitute for medication.):

It is believed that when worn as jewellery in direct contact with the skin, it has a positive effect on the organs in the chest, especially the heart and lungs, and may support recovery after a heart attack.

It is said to balance the endocrine system, support tissue regeneration and cleanse the body by strengthening the blood. It is considered very useful for spiritual suffering. It is also believed to improve digestion and relieve fever.

Prolonged contact with olivine (peridot) is believed to restore inner balance and drive away negative emotions.

Other instructions: Wash after therapy; it is said to love sunlight.