Peridot is sometimes referred to as ‘the poor man’s emerald but there is nothing modest about this lively bright stone. A glimmer of green like sunlight through the trees, Peridot is a prized gemstone known for its summer spirit, its good-luck vibes, and its uncanny ability to keep you calm and feeling safe no matter what is going on around you.

Peridot can be traced back to the volcanic cracks of Oahu in Hawaii the island where sunlight soaks the lands and everything exudes over with the beauty of life. This unique mineral can be found all over the world, with important deposits located in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Arizona US.  Peridot has also been reported in multiple different meteorites that have crash-landed here on Earth, it is an interstellar crystal. Records dating back to 1500 BCE show Zagbargad, (known as St. John’s Island), an island in the Red Sea as a main source of Peridots. They are still found on the island to this day and are the main source for Egyptian Peridots.

HEALING PROPERTIES

Peridot is a powerful cleanser.  It releases and neutralizes toxins on all levels. Peridot is one of the most potent healing crystals which helps stabilize your moods and encourages you to bask in the glow of a life well-lived. Peridot helps in letting go of egocentric behaviors such as jealousy, resentment and spite. When you are marred by jealousy, resentment, bitterness and holding onto emotional baggage and grudges, your whole body and mind can tip over into anxious thinking. Peridot assists you in putting down all your baggage allowing you to go empty-handed and pure of heart into the world. Peridot is a stone that reminds us our inner child needs to play and receive.

Peridot enhances confidence and assertion, motivating growth and change.  Peridot enables you to take responsibility for your own life. People often turn to Peridot for its ability to bring about change and new beginnings. Peridot gives us the focus and energy needed to persevere no matter how taxing a task may seem. Peridot brings you prosperity and abundance. It will bring you good luck, attracting better opportunities for you that will help you grow in life. It sharpens and opens the mind to new levels of awareness. Peridot fosters openness to new experiences and relationships allowing us to grow.

Peridot is one for great stones of abundance helping us to recognize, honor and embrace abundance in our own lives. This can include material wealth, but also spiritual wealth. It can aid in breaking down barriers within us which prevent us from reaching our full potential. With Peridot’s aid, we become happier, healthier, and wiser. Peridot can also help us attune with other realms and become better attuned to the animal and plant kingdoms and all things of Earth. Peridot allows one to connect to higher realms of consciousness in order to quiet spiritual fears, such as guilt, regret, or feelings of karmic debt. Peridot is an Elven stone, carrying the frequency of interdimensional Earth beings who share our planet. It may be used to connect with the fairy and devic realms and to communicate with Natures spirits of all types including the plant and animal kingdoms. It is an excellent stone for animal and Earth healers.

So many people find it easier to give our love and time away freely rather than open ourselves up to receiving even a portion of what we need. Peridot teaches us that we are meant to both give and receive. Peridot is a great stone at encouraging you to let it all go and rid yourself of problematic behavioral patterns that don’t serve us and clog up space in our heart. It assists in changing the way we look at the world and interact with it. Our actions, in turn, dramatically change how the world responds to us. When we live like we deserve to be happy it opens the door to the possibility of finding happiness. It cleanses and heals hurt feelings and “bruised egos,” lessening anger, jealousy, resentment and spite, while teaching us to understand that holding onto the past or people is counterproductive to our own growth. It teaches us to examine the past for the gift of the experiences, admit mistakes and let go of guilt and blame, forgiving oneself, or others, in order to move forward.

HISTORY

Peridot has one of the oldest and most detailed historical timelines of any healing stone. It is included in virtually every known lapidary, texts which describe gemstones and their powers. Over the centuries, Peridot has been called by a variety of names, including Olivine, Chrysolite, Evening Emerald, Forsterite, and Peridotite which has understandably caused some confusion over the years. Historically prized by high priests and kings, Peridot is said to ward off evil spirits and negative emotions, providing a protective shield against harmful energies. Some of the most ancient traditions concerning Peridot date back to the very dawn of human civilization and probably originated long before that. The word “peridot” comes from the Arabic word “faridat” (meaning “gem”) or the Ancient Greek word “peridona” (meaning “abundance”).

Historically, the volcanic island of Zabargad (St. John) in the Red Sea has produced beautiful Peridots for at least 2500 years and was the main source of peridot, which is why many ancient Egyptian jewelry artifacts contain the stone. The twinkling green hue was a favorite of Cleopatra, she loved to adorn herself in the Emerald of the Evening stone. Egyptian priestly robes were adorned with peridot as far back as 1500 BCE. Peridot was believed to be the stone of the Sun Gods, Ra, Khepri and Aten and symbolized their power and influence. Egyptians believed Peridot was gifted to humans from the Sun Gods.

The ancient Romans also revered peridot, associating it with light and beauty. In Roman lore, peridot was known as an “evening emerald” for its ability to maintain its color in both daylight and candlelight. It was valued for its protective qualities, particularly against “terrors of the night,”, they believed it warded off nightmares. They also believed it to be associated with prosperity and the goddess Venus, symbolizing love and beauty. The ancient Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder suggested wearing peridot as a talisman to ward off negativity and evil spirits.

But even beyond ancient times and tales of Egyptian queens, Peridot has a long and fabled history when it comes to being revered by those in power. High priests and kings were also smitten by this lustrous gem said to ward off evil spirits.

In Hawaiian culture, legend claimed that peridot symbolized the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. It’s believed that she wept tears of peridot when her sister was imprisoned. Hawaiian legend also says that the peridot brought by ancient volcanoes guided early settlers to the islands.

Peridot jewelry was especially popular during the Middle Ages, thought to instill foresight, eloquence, and influence over others. During the Crusades, Egyptian Peridots were brought to Europe. Most of them were mistakenly called “Emeralds” and given to the Catholic Church. It is believed that many of the so-called Emeralds in the Church’s inventory are in fact dark green Peridots. Throughout the medieval period, lapidaries described Peridot many powers.

Buddhists believe peridot aids in purification, overcoming negative emotions, and opening one’s heart to joy and serenity. In some interpretations of the Bible, peridot is thought to be one of the gemstone foundations of New Jerusalem, signifying divine nature.

CHAKRAS

Peridot activates and harmonizes the heart and solar plexus chakras. This harmonizing gives us a great foundation to find our balance and stability within ourselves. By working with these two chakras, peridot establishes alignment and balance between the upper and lower chakras. It bridges earthly and spiritual realms, helping you manifest your true potential.

The solar plexus chakra is the core of who we are. It’s the ego, the willpower, the pleasure center and where we build a sense of ourselves. This chakra is located between the ribcage and navel. When this chakra is blocked you may lose all sense of purpose and motivation. If your Solar Plexus is out of balance spiritually you may feel fear of the disappointment or displeasure of others, you may sacrifice your life and pleasures to the will of others. If this Chakra is out of whack, it can have a knock-down effect to your whole sense of health and wellbeing. By using Peridot to awaken and clear out your Solar Plexus chakra you could get the burst of energy and direction that you’ve been hoping for. Peridot cleanses your solar plexus of stagnant or toxic emotional energy, such as anger, doubt, and frustration. It can provide an uplifting and motivating energy, helping you to move forward in life and align with your true purpose. When the Solar Plexus Chakra is in balance you are free to interpret the world through our own thoughts and emotions and not live in fear of violating the beliefs of others.

The heart chakra rules love, higher consciousness, and compassion. Your Hearth Chakra is located at the center of your chest above the heart and is regarded as the bridge between the lower, more physical chakras and the higher, spiritual ones. Your heart chakra is the place where your love and trust sit. If your heart chakra is blocked, you may struggle to build better relationships, you may be unable to let your love leap higher you may be pinned down with destructive ideas of jealousy and fear. This gorgeous green gemstone is connected to the heart chakra and is always ready to help crack your love wide open so you can share in the sublime joy of the universe. Peridot, with its gentle yet powerful energy, is believed to aid in healing the heart, releasing old emotional wounds, and embracing new, loving energies.  Peridot’s energy can help one connect with nature, understand life cycles, and achieve deeper spiritual connections.  It helps align the principles of mindfulness and connectedness, encouraging an open heart and a harmonious balance between our internal and external worlds.

CLEANSING AND CHARGING

Peridot is a sensitive stone that requires regular cleansing and recharging to keep its energies fresh and vibrant. Keeping your Peridot gemstones in pristine condition is essential to keep the energy running high and smooth. Cleansing your Peridot is a great way of removing toxic vibes and can make sure that the gems not only retain their luster but also their strength.

There are several simple methods to care for your gemstone.

You can try giving your gemstone a gentle cleansing by wiping it gently with a soft cloth to remove built up dirt and oils. To cleanse it a bit deeper use lukewarm water and a bit of light soap. Using a soft brush gently scrub your gemstone focusing on areas that may collect dirt.  When you have finished hold your Peridot under running lukewarm water to rinse away all soapy residue and give it a final cleansing to rinse away the final vestiges of negative energy.

Another option is to let your Peridot soak in a sea saltwater solution for 1-2 hours.  Use a solution of 1 teaspoon of sea salt per cup of water.  This will help remove accumulated negative energies.  Rinse thoroughly when you are done with your cleansing ritual.

There is also the option of smudging with sage or palo santo or any other sacred herb which will cleanse away built-up negative energies. Pass the stone through the smoke to allow the aroma to uplift its energies. Visualize the smoke absorbing any stagnant vibrations.

Once you have cleansed away the negative energy stored in your Peridot you would next charge it to bring it back to full potency and vibrance. Here are a few ways to accomplish a strong recharge.

Place your Peridot in direct moonlight overnight. The gentle energy of the moon can cleanse and recharge the stone.  You can also place your gemstone in the sunlight for several hours. Brief exposure to morning sunlight can recharge Peridot. However, avoid prolonged exposure as intense sunlight can fade the color.  The light will refresh the inner brilliance of the stone.

Last but not least, a potent method to recharge your Peridot is through Earth Burial. Burying it in the soil for 24 hours allows the earth to absorb and cleanse away impurities. Burying your Peridot in the soil allows it to reconnect with the earth and recharge its energies. Choose a location free of contaminants. When finished, rinse the stone with water and dry with a soft cloth. Your gemstone will be fully rejuvenated.