In this article
GemStore team — written by the people who list and pack every stone.
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Peridot, called zabarjad in Urdu, has a special place in the Pakistani market because some of the world's finest peridot has come from the mountains of northern Pakistan. That local supply means buyers here see a wide range of quality, and the price differences between them can be large. This guide explains what drives them.
Colour comes first
Peridot is one of the few gems that comes in essentially one colour, green, caused by iron in its structure. What changes is the exact shade. A pure, lively grass to lime green with no brown is the most sought after. Stones that lean yellowish or olive-brown sit lower, and very pale stones lower still.
Clarity and the "lily pad"
Good peridot should look clean to the naked eye. The typical inclusion is a small disc-shaped feather with a dark centre, known in the trade as a lily pad. A few tiny ones barely affect value; visible ones in the middle of the table do.
Size is where Pakistani material stands out
Small clean peridot is common. Large clean stones with strong colour are not, and that is where price per carat jumps. Peridot from Kohistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became famous for producing larger clean crystals than most sources, which is why sizeable stones turn up more often here than in many markets.
Cut and treatment
A well-proportioned cut brings out brightness and avoids a dull, see-through centre. Peridot is almost never treated, so an untreated stone is normal rather than a premium feature, but you should still get the seller to confirm it in writing.
Quick authenticity check
Green glass and moldavite are the usual stand-ins. Peridot is strongly doubly refractive: look down through the table with a loupe and the back facet edges appear doubled. Glass shows single, sharp edges and sometimes round bubbles. A flawless, intensely coloured, very cheap stone deserves caution.
Wearing it
At 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale peridot is fine in a ring, but a sharp knock on a corner can chip it, so a bezel or protected setting is worth considering. Avoid acids and harsh cleaners.
Zabarjad in tradition
In South Asian astrology peridot is linked with Mercury (Budh) and is traditionally worn for well-being and fresh starts. These are beliefs, not promises; settle weight, metal and finger with your astrologer. Our rashi guide lists common pairings.
Before you pay
Check that the stone is natural, any treatment is written down and the weight is the cut weight. We inspect every stone and photograph each one alone. Browse our peridot, or compare sunstone and aquamarine. Urdu and English names are on our gem names page, and Cash on Delivery covers Lahore, Karachi and every other city.
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