PERIDOT – Spectacular Gem-Clear Green Single Crystal, Pakistan

Excellent natural specimen of Peridot (gem variety of forsterite) from Sapat Gali, Kaghan Valley, Pakistan — the locality that redefined the world's expectations for this species when it was first discovered in the early 1990s.

The specimen consists of a single crystal of notable size and quality, with well-defined faces and an intense, brilliant green color. The natural growth has produced regular crystallization that highlights the transparency and characteristic luster of the mineral, with excellent gemmy clarity throughout.

Pakistani peridot is famous worldwide for its rich, saturated green tone, free of the brownish undertones common in material from other localities — a quality clearly visible in this piece.

A scenic, gem-clear specimen, ideal for both collectors and those seeking a striking, naturally faceted display piece.

Peridot is the gem variety of forsterite, the magnesium-rich end member of the olivine group, with the general formula (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄. It is a nesosilicate, meaning its structure is built from isolated silica tetrahedra linked by magnesium and iron atoms.

The crystal system is orthorhombic, typically forming short, blocky prismatic crystals with well-defined terminations, as seen in this specimen. The vivid green color comes from iron (Fe²⁺) built directly into the crystal structure — since iron is a core structural component rather than a trace impurity, peridot's color is remarkably consistent and intense compared to many other colored gems. Material from this locality frequently forms in ultramafic rocks within the Kohistan arc, a geological terrane formed by ancient volcanic island-arc activity.

• Formula: (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄
• Mineral class: Nesosilicates (Olivine group)
• Crystal system: Orthorhombic
• Crystal habit: Single prismatic crystal with well-defined terminations
• Formation: Ultramafic rocks, Kohistan arc terrane
• Key chemical elements: Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Silicon (Si), Oxygen (O)
• Color: Intense, vivid green

Unlike most colored gemstones, whose color comes from trace impurities, peridot's green color is intrinsic to its core chemistry — it comes directly from iron that is a fundamental part of the mineral's structure, not an accidental trace element. This is why peridot is one of the very few gem minerals found in essentially only one color family: green.

The Kaghan Valley deposit was only discovered in the early 1990s, yet it rapidly became recognized as the source of the finest gem peridot in the world, surpassing localities that had been mined for centuries.

In crystal healing traditions, Peridot is regarded as a stone of renewal, positive energy and emotional healing, traditionally associated with the heart chakra. Ancient Egyptians called it the "gem of the sun" and believed it protected its wearer from nighttime fears. These interpretations are not scientifically proven.

Photos: All photographs are taken under professional lighting conditions to accurately highlight crystal structure, color and detail. However, slight variations in tone and appearance may occur depending on screen calibration and ambient lighting conditions.

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