Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pale green variety of chrysolite; used as a gemstone: "Peridot" refers specifically to a gem-quality, transparent variety of the mineral olivine, characterized by its distinctive olive or yellowish-green color.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She wore a beautiful necklace featuring a large peridot.
  • Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August.
  • The volcanic island is a known source for peridot.

Advanced Usage

• "Peridot" in geology and gemology: The term is used precisely to denote the gem variety, distinguishing it from the more common, non-gem-quality olivine found in rocks.
  • The jewelry designer specializes in cutting and setting peridot.
• Historical context: Peridot has been used in jewelry for centuries and was historically called "the evening emerald."
  • Ancient Egyptians highly valued peridot, mining it on Zabargad Island.

Variants and Related Words

• Olivine (n): The mineral family to which peridot belongs. Not all olivine is gem-quality peridot.
  • Olivine is a common mineral in the Earth's mantle.
• Chrysolite (n): An older, less precise synonym for olivine and sometimes for peridot.
  • In older texts, you might find peridot referred to as chrysolite.

Synonyms

• Olivine (when referring to the gem-quality variety in a geological or gemological context).
• Evening emerald (a historical, poetic synonym emphasizing its green color).

Noun

1. a pale green variety of chrysolite; used as a gemstone