Summer is here, we hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather we're having! With the arrival of August the team at Augustine Jewels have been changing the shop display for a brand new birthstone. August's birthstone is a vibrant one, with it's lime green colouring and rather phenomenal sparkle, this month's gemstone, and the topic of this Q&A, is of course: Peridot!
Peridots feature heavily in our Andalusian Collection, and we’re incredibly excited to have a wonderful Peridot display, featuring some of these Andalusian pieces, in store for all of this month, do come and see it at 75 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, W11 2AG.
We’re sticking to our monthly tradition of Q&As with Alexandra and this month we’re asking her all about Peridots:
Can you tell me what a ‘peridot’ actually is?
Yes of course! Peridot, also known as a Chrysolite, is a yellowish-green transparent variety of Olivine. This means peridot is a Magnesium Iron Silicate with the chemical formula (Mg,Fe)2SiO4.
Andalusian Blue Topaz & Peridot Octagon Drop Earrings - £790
Set in beautiful 9ct yellow gold, with a top stone measuring 7x7mm and bottom stone measures 12x10mm.
What gives peridots their bright green colour?
Interestingly, the presence of iron within the gemstone is what gives peridot its green colour, the more iron, the darker the green.
Did you know that Peridot is one of the only gemstones only found in one colour?
Andalusian Peridot & Blue Topaz Statement Ring - £750
What factors make a Peridot more or less expensive?
Good question! The value of a peridot is determined, like most stones, by a combination of the colour, cut, clarity and carat weight. With peridot the most significant factor in determining their cost is colour, stones with a deeper more saturated green colour typically command higher prices.
Como Teal Topaz & Peridot Drop Earrings - £450
Where are peridots mined?
The principal source of peridot is in Arizona, but peridot has been mined in countries such as Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
Andalusian Blue Topaz & Peridot Octagon Ring - £790
What is the most expensive peridot in existence?
The biggest – and most expensive – peridot was mined in Zebirget, Egypt. It is 311.78 carats and weighs a total of 62.35 grams. It’s currently on display in the Smithsonian Museum in the USA if any of our followers in America would like to see it.
Which piece of Augustine Jewels Peridot jewellery is your favourite?
My favourite design featuring peridot has to be these gorgeous Bespoke Yellow Gold Peridot & Citrine Earrings!
The client wanted to recycle some stones into something similar to our Andalusian collection, these are still being made in our workshop and I can’t wait to see them finished!
Peridot & Citrine Earrings - Price on application
These stunning Yellow Gold Peridot & Citrine Earrings were designed through our Bespoke Service.
Our Bespoke Service places the client at the heart of the design process, meaning they’re there for every stage in the creation of their beautiful bespoke piece!