QUALITY FACTORS Gem miners find peridot in the United States, China, and Vietnam, Finland, Pakistan, Myanmar, and the island of Zabargad. This one if from Kohistan in Pakistan. As per the leading gemological commentators "Top-quality peridots are from Pakistan". This one being offered is known as "Very Fine" in the market due to its colour, weight, clarity, cut. The color range for peridot is narrow, from a brown-green color to yellowish green to pure green. Yellowish green is the most common peridot color seen in jewelry.Pure green stones are rare, and most peridots are more yellowish green. The higher-quality stones have an intense color. Most of the stones with the finest color come from Myanmar (Burma) and PakistanSome Periodits come with visible inclusions, especially the dark spots, this lowers the value of peridot. These offered are FLAWLESS. There's a dramatic drop in value for light-colored material with prominent dark inclusions. The pure green are most valuable. This one being offered is the FINEST pure green colour available. The finest large peridots come from Myanmar- formerly Burma-and, more recently, from a source high in the Himalayas of Pakistan. More-standard sizes and qualities come mostly from the United States (Arizona) and China. This one being offered originated from the Himalayan mountains in Pakistan. EXTRATERRESTRIAL Rarely, Peridot can have an extraterrestrial source, being contained in meteorites that have fallen to earth. In 2005, peridot was found in comet dust brought back from the Stardust robotic space probe. HISTORY AND LORE Peridot has always been associated with light. In fact, the Egyptians called it the "gem of the sun." Some believed that it protected its owner from "terrors of the night," especially when it was set in gold. Others strung the gems on donkey hair and tied them around their left arms to ward off evil spirits.The word peridot comes from the Arabic "faridat," which means "gem." Most Peridot formed deep inside the earth and was delivered to the surface by volcanoes. Some also came to earth in meteorites, but this extraterrestrial Peridot is extremely rare, and not likely to be seen in a retail jewelry store.Early records indicate that the ancient Egyptians mined a beautiful green gem on an island in the Red Sea called Topazios, now known as St. John's Island or Zabargad. Legend has it that the island was infested with snakes, making mining unpleasant until an enterprising pharaoh drove them into the sea.Some historians believe that Cleopatra's famous emerald collection might actually have been Peridot. People in medieval times continued to confuse peridot with emerald. For centuries, people believed the fabulous 200-ct. gems adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany's Cologne Cathedral were emeralds. They are, in fact, Peridot's.Peridot is in the collection of the Natural History Museum in London BIRTHSTONES & ANNIVERSARIES Peridot is the birthstone for August and the 15th anniversary gemstone. COLORED STONE INFORMATION: SPECIES: PeridotTCW WEIGHT: 7.80ct - Approx 3.90ct eachMEASUREMENTS: 10mm x 9mm x 7mmCOLOUR: Pure Green (the best)CLARITY: FLAWLESSSHAPE/CUT: Oval. Correct proportions (table, crown, pavilion).POLISH: Excellent polish and reflectionTREATMENT: No treatmentORIGIN: Kohistan (Himalayan mountain region), Pakistan. They produce the finest Peridot's.