Peridot Buying and the Four Cs

The IGS peridot value listing has price guidelines for faceted pieces.

Color

Peridots come in many shades of green, and only green. The highest values go to gems with yellowish green hue, medium tone, and moderately strong saturation. (For more information on color descriptions, see our guide to GIA color codes).

However, if you like green, you can probably find a peridot that matches the color you want. Peridots can show deep, emerald-like colors as well as almost neon brightness. Different localities produce different shades of green. Consult the information on sources in our peridot gem listing for more information.

Clarity

Clarity refers to a gem’s transparency and anything that can impact how it transmits light.

Most peridots are usually eye clean. That means they have no inclusions (materials, cavities, or fractures inside the gem) visible to the naked eye. Nevertheless, most peridots do contain inclusions visible under magnification, including their distinctive “lily pads.” Eye visible inclusions will likely lower a peridot’s value, as will the presence of many inclusions, which create a cloudy effect.

Be advised that those distinctive lily pad inclusions can make peridots difficult to cut.

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