An 8.5 carat peridot — 9.34 ratti — at Rs. 30,750, about Rs. 3,618 per carat. It is the largest stone in this collection by some margin; the next is 3.95 carat.

Peridot is green because it has to be

Most coloured gems get their colour from trace impurities. A ruby is corundum with a little chromium; without it, the same mineral is colourless sapphire. Peridot is different. Its colour comes from iron, which is a structural part of the mineral rather than an accident — peridot is gem-quality olivine, a magnesium-iron silicate, and the iron is in the formula.

The practical consequence is that colourless peridot does not exist. Every peridot is green. What varies is how much yellow or brown sits alongside the green, and that is decided by how much iron relative to magnesium the crystal took up as it grew. This stone measures 93% green coverage — strongly green rather than olive or yellowish.

Size, and why it matters here

Peridot above five carat is markedly scarcer than below it, and the price per carat usually rises with size rather than staying flat. At 8.5 carat this is a statement stone: a pendant centre, or a ring for someone who wants presence rather than discretion.

Measured facet share is 6.5%, which puts it in the faceted half of this collection — it has cut facets rather than a smooth polished dome.

Care, and the one thing that catches people out

Peridot is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, hard enough for everyday wear. Its weakness is not hardness but sensitivity: it has relatively low resistance to thermal shock and to acids. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner — peridot is one of the stones most often damaged by them, because internal inclusions expand under vibration. No steam either, and keep it away from sudden temperature change and from household acids.

Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush is the whole routine.

Recorded as an African stone. Treatment has not been tested on this piece, and we record that rather than calling it untreated. Dimensions and clarity are not recorded yet — ask us and we will measure.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural peridot, known in Urdu as Zabarjad, with a weight of 8.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 30,750 — roughly Rs. 3,618 for each carat. Origin: Africa. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000346 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

From six carats up a stone becomes the centre of attention. It wants a broader shank or a secure claw setting and suits an occasion ring, a signet or a centre pendant. Clean natural material of this size turns up far less often, and the per-carat rate reflects that.

On the Mohs scale peridot rates 6.5 to 7. That is middle-of-the-road hardness: comfortable in pendants and earrings, and in rings worn with some care. Store it apart from harder stones so it does not pick up scratches, and wipe it with a damp cloth rather than scrubbing.

Whoever you buy peridot from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every peridot for those three points before it is listed, a certificate is available on request, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. Certificate available on request. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Peridot is usually untreated. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.