Peridot (/ ˈpɛrɪˌdɒt, - ˌdoʊ / PERR-ih-dot, -⁠⁠doh), sometimes called chrysolite, is a yellowish-green transparent variety of olivine. Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color. Peridot can be found in mafic and ultramafic rocks occurring in lava and peridotite xenoliths of the mantle.

As a member of the olivine mineral group, peridot can come in various shades of yellowish-green to greenish-yellow. Peridot is found globally, but one of the primary sources is in Arizona. Records show that ancient Egyptians mined for peridot in the 3rd century on an island in the Red Sea; they even called it "the gem of the sun!"

Interesting Facts about Peridot Gemstone Peridot is one of the rare gemstones that exclusively exists in one color: green. The largest peridot ever discovered weighed roughly 319 carats and was unearthed in Egypt. August’s birthstone is peridot, which is related to the Leo zodiac sign.

Peridot is the birthstone for August and the 15th anniversary gemstone. 4.5 billion Some peridot is ancient: it's found in pallasite meteorites, remnants of our solar system's birth.