Peridot Buying Guide: Natural vs Lab-Grown, Prices per Carat & Quality

What is peridot?

Peridot is gem-quality olivine (forsterite), coloured by iron. Hardness: 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale.

Colour and quality factors

Pure grass-green to slightly yellowish-green with no brown is ideal. 'Lily pad' inclusions are typical.

Origins and natural (mined) stones

Pakistan (Kashmir region), Myanmar, Arizona (San Carlos), China and Vietnam.

Carat weight and size

Arizona stones are mostly small; fine stones over 10 ct come mainly from Pakistan and Myanmar.

Prices per carat

Small commercial: roughly $20–$100/ct. Fine 5–10 ct: roughly $100–$500/ct. Exceptional large: higher. These are indicative retail ranges per carat gathered from published trade and auction reporting; real prices vary widely with colour, size, origin and treatment, and are not a Riakoob quote.

Natural vs lab-grown (synthetic)

Lab peridot is not commercially significant; glass and synthetic spinel are simulants. Under US FTC guidelines a lab-made stone must be clearly described as laboratory-grown, laboratory-created or synthetic, never simply by the gem name.

Treatments you must know about

Peridot is generally untreated. Treatment disclosure is required; ask for it in writing and on the lab report.

Certification

For significant peridot purchases, ask for a report from an independent lab such as GIA, AGL, SSEF or Gübelin stating natural or synthetic origin, any treatments and, where relevant, geographic origin.

Care and durability

Sensitive to acids and sudden temperature changes; avoid ultrasonic cleaning.

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