How Much Does Peridot Cost?

Peridot is an attractive and affordable green gemstone loved for its lively color. But like all precious gems, many factors impact the price you'll pay. Read on to learn what makes peridot so special and get tips for finding quality peridot at a fair cost.

Peridot has captivated jewelry wearers for centuries with its striking green tones. The birthstone for August, peridot is a variety of the mineral olivine. Its affordability makes it accessible, but peridot can still command high prices at premium quality levels.

We'll explore Peridot's background, pricing factors, and future outlook. Read on for advice on buying peridot for your collection or jewelry designs.

How Much Does Peridot Cost?

Larger carat weights mean much higher peridot prices, especially for gems over 5 carats. Premium clean Peridot stones cost over $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) per carat. Let's examine peridot prices across various size ranges:

• Under 1 carat - High-quality peridots can cost as little as $10-$30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per carat. Eye-clean gems under $50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per carat are readily available. Offers the most affordable options.
• 1-3 carats - Good peridots in the $50-$150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per carat range. Many high-quality options ideal for jewelry. Larger 2-3 carat gems in the $100-$250 (≈2.1 days working for this purchase at $15/hour) range.
• 3-5 carats - Premium peridots $200-$800 (≈1.3 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary) per carat. Fine 3 carat gems around $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) per carat, with 5 carat stones up to $800 (≈1.3 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary)-1,000 per carat.
• Over 5 carats - High quality becomes very rare and expensive. clean 5-10 carat peridots can be $1,000 - $5,000 (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour) per carat. Large gems approaching $10,000 (≈3.8 months working without a break on a $15/hour salary) per carat are possible.

The best values are found under 5 carats, where eye-clean gems still sell for less than $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) per carat. But fancy larger peridots still sell for a fraction of large emerald prices.

According to With Clarity, on average, natural peridot costs between $50-$80 (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage) per carat, though some higher quality stones can cost significantly more. Lab-created peridot is also available at a lower cost.

Gemavenue.com notes that the price of Peridot depends on the quality of the crystals you are buying. Gem quality peridot runs from $2 a gram to $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage) a gram based on the clarity of the stone.

Gempundit.com writes that peridot prices listed range from $19.80 to $54.60 (≈3.6 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job) for various carat weights and sizes.

Factors Affecting Peridot Prices

Like all precious gems, peridot is priced by the "four Cs" - color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. But its affordability means you can get excellent quality peridot for less than many gems.

Peridot color is the most important factor. The best peridots have a deep olive-green hue. Greener tones with a touch of yellow are the most prized. Brownish or yellowish greens are less valued. Value increases for more saturated green peridots.

Clarity also affects price, but eye-clean peridots are abundant. Most have minor inclusions invisible to the naked eye. Major inclusions and cloudiness will detract from value. But minor flecks won't impact the price much for Peridot.

A good cut enhances the peridot's brilliance and green fire. Well-cut peridots sell at a premium. Poor cutting can negatively impact value. Re-cutting may improve some stones.

Larger carat sizes can mean exponentially higher peridot prices. Premium quality gems over 5 carats are rare, fetching high values. But smaller 1-3 carat peridots can offer excellent quality more affordably.

Peridot Sources and Varieties

Peridot forms deep within the Earth's mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanoes and tectonic shifts. The major source locations produce peridot with slightly different properties, impacting prices.

• Arizona Peridot - Small deposits discovered in the 1990s. Stones tend to be yellowish-green.
• China - Newly discovered large deposits. Greener tones than Arizona, but some cloudiness. Affordable pricing.
• Myanmar (Burma) - Limited supply. Finest deep green color and good clarity. Commands high prices.
• Pakistan - Abundant quantities of good quality yellowish-green peridot. Smaller gemstones.
• Egypt - Historically important. Fine green color but often included crystals. Medium to higher pricing.

Peridot from Myanmar and other scarce sources with top color and clarity will have the highest values. But excellent peridots are available from all locations if cut well.

A Brief Background on Peridot

Peridot has been prized since ancient times, mined from deposits like the famed St. John's Island for over 3,500 years. The Egyptians called peridot the "gem of the sun", believing it harnessed the sun's life-giving powers.

Peridot was beloved by Medieval Europe's royalty and the Catholic church. Large peridots weighing over 300 carats were gifted to decorated churches. The gem's deep green color symbolized renewal and growth.

Today, peridot remains a popular affordable gemstone. Its availability in larger sizes makes peridot a budget-friendly alternative to expensive emeralds. Peridot is also the only gem-quality source of olivine, giving it a special intrigue among collectors.

How Does Peridot Compare to Other Gems?

Peridot occupies an important niche as an affordable green gem. For many buyers, it offers an enticing alternative to expensive emeralds. Let's compare it to other popular green stones.

• Emeralds - Much rarer than peridot. Included emeralds are common. Fine emeralds over 1 carat can cost over $5,000 (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour) per carat.
• Tsavorite - A rare garnet variety. Tsavorite has a deeper green but lacks peridot's vivid yellow-green tones. Under 1 carat, tsavorite can be $2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour) per carat.
• Green sapphires - Extremely rare and expensive. Fine green sapphires over 5 carats exceed $10,000 (≈3.8 months working without a break on a $15/hour salary) per carat.
• Green tourmaline - Affordable like peridot but not as durable. Under 3 carats, prices average $100-$500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) per carat.

So while other green gems may seem tempting, peridot competes well on price, color, and availability. Its affordability lets buyers get excellent stones at larger sizes.

The Peridot Jewelry Market Trends

Peridot is a versatile player in the gemstone jewelry market. Its eye-catching green tones work for everything from bold cocktail rings to dainty pendants.

For many designers, peridot provides a rare chance to show off large statement gems affordably. Peridot's large sizes and brilliant cuts lend well to these looks.

Besides traditional designs, peridot shines in modern styles like geometric and avant-garde pieces. Its youthful, lively aura suits modern tastes.

In fashion, peridot fits right in with spring and summer color palettes. Designers like Pantone also forecast green as an important shade. This keeps peridot relevant in jewelry trends.

For brides, peridot offers a unique birthstone choice for August weddings. It makes one-of-a-kind rings and accents when set with diamonds.

Overall, peridot should continue gaining recognition as an expressive, affordable gem. Its verdant tones fill a key niche among today's jewelry lovers.

Is Peridot a Good Investment?

Fine gem-quality peridot is only found in a few locations worldwide. While gem deposits exist, peridot remains much rarer than "common" gems like amethyst. So in the long run, peridot prices will likely appreciate as supplies become constrained.

Yet peridot, especially under 5 carats, remains affordable enough to not be considered a speculative investment. Large premium peridots may gain value, but prices could also fluctuate.

You might also like our articles on the cost of jade, obsidian, or amethyst.

The best reason to add peridot is for its sheer beauty - its lively green is unmatched. With care and occasional re-polishing, peridot can offer lifetimes of enjoyment fairly priced.

Still, prudently buying fine peridots and holding them very long-term could reap financial rewards later as a scarcity emerges. But its real investment value is in the joy it brings its lucky owners.

Caring for Peridot Jewelry

Basic care goes a long way towards keeping peridot jewelry sparkling for years to come. Since the gem rates 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, it's prone to scratching and chipping. Take some precautions:

• Remove peridot jewelry before strenuous activity that could knock the stone.
• Store peridot separately from harder gems to avoid scratches.
• Clean with a soft brush and mild soap, avoiding harsh chemicals.

Consider having peridot re-polished occasionally by a professional jeweler to restore its brilliance. With occasional maintenance, peridot can remain beautiful for generations.

Taking a little care ensures peridot jewelry retains its splendor and value. By understanding what impacts its cost, you can buy fine peridot with confidence. Discover why this entrancing green gem has endured for millennia.

How to Buy Peridot: Getting the Best at Fair Prices

Finding beautiful peridot at attractive prices just takes knowing what to look for. Follow these tips when shopping:

• Check the color first - look for rich olive to lime greens. Pass on yellowish or brownish hues.
• Examine clarity in good lighting. Minor flecks are okay but avoid clouded or heavily included stones.
• Select fine faceting and cutting quality for maximum brilliance.
• Ask about where the peridot originated. Burmese gems cost more but offer premium color.
• Request an appraisal to verify authenticity and no enhancements.
• Compare prices across multiple sellers to find fair market values.
• Consider having important gems certified by credible labs like GIA.
• Opt for eye-clean gems under 5 carats for the best affordability.
• Set a realistic budget and stick with it. Peridot is meant to be enjoyed!

The Future of Peridot: Predictions and Trends

What does the future hold for peridot? Some predictions surrounding this special gem:

• With new sources like China being discovered, peridot will likely remain affordable in the near future.
• Demand should increase as peridot becomes more recognized as an alternative to expensive emerald.
• Custom cuts like concave faceting will offer new looks while retaining carat weight.
• Peridot's color-change abilities could lead to new materials like peridot-sapphire mixes.
• Modern cutting techniques will produce more clean, brilliant large peridots.
• Prices will creep up for finer Burmese stones as supplies remain tight.
• Peridot's durability issues may be improved by new enhancements and treatments.
• Increased use of peridot in bridal and fashion jewelry will boost its popularity.

While predictions vary, the stone's lively hues will keep charming gem lovers whatever tomorrow holds. There's never been a better time to add the green Peridot beauty to your collection!

Final Words on Peridots

In the end, peridot isn't prized for investment potential or rarity. The allure of peridot lies in its refreshing green colors - an affordable glimpse of nature's wonder in a jewel. Its value comes from the joy and meaning it brings its wearers.

With its long history yet modern appeal, peridot deserves more time in the spotlight. Understand the factors impacting its price, but also savor its emotive hues. At its affordable prices, everyone deserves to experience peridot's magic. Let it brighten your life or gift it to brighten another's.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more expensive - emerald or peridot?

Emeralds are far more expensive than even the finest peridot. Top-quality emeralds over 1 carat can sell for over $5,000 (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour) per carat. Fine peridots typically stay under $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) per carat except in large sizes over 5 carats. So emerald's scarcity makes it much more costly than the relatively abundant peridot.

What is the rarest color of peridot?

A bright greenish-yellow peridot gemstone with slight olive undertones is considered the most desirable and valuable shade. Stones lacking any hints of brown or gray are best. The most prized peridots emulate the vivid yellowish-green tones found in early spring leaves. Deep olive greens are also valued, but pure yellowish greens are rarest.

Is peridot a rare gemstone?

While not as inherently rare as emeralds, fine peridot is still relatively uncommon. Its affordability comes mainly from its small gem sizes under a few carats. Finding eye-clean peridots over 5 carats is quite rare, especially with an even and deeply saturated color. Overall peridot occupies an important place between very common and very scarce gemstones in terms of rarity.