Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem

Peridot is found in two main types of deposits. Most commonly, gem miners discover peridot as irregular nodules—rounded rocks containing peridot crystals—within lava flows in regions like the United States, China, and Vietnam. Less frequently, peridot occurs as larger crystals found in veins or pockets within solidified molten rock, with notable sources including Finland, Pakistan, Myanmar, and the island of Zabargad.

Geologists believe these deposits form due to the spreading of the sea floor when the Earth's crust splits and mantle rocks are pushed upward. In some cases, like in Myanmar, these rocks can be altered and folded into mountain ranges through subsequent geological processes.

In rare instances, peridot can originate from meteorites that have fallen to Earth, making it an extra terrestrial gem.

Peridot's colour spectrum is relatively narrow, ranging from brown-green to yellowish green and pure green. Yellowish green is the most commonly seen hue in jewellery.

As the gem variety of the mineral olivine, peridot's chemical composition includes iron and magnesium, with iron imparting its distinctive yellowish green shades. It typically forms in volcanic rocks called basalts, which are rich in these elements.