Transparent Peridot is not uncommon and occupies a position at the top of the range, it’s lower quality being translucent: Anything below this standard should be rejected. A principle reason for it’s high clarity is that Peridot is an idiochromatic gem, which means that its color comes from the basic chemical composition of the Olivine-Forsterite mineral itself, its color is therefore an indispensable element in its make-up. This runs to the contrary of gems such as the corundum derivative of sapphire, which get their coloration from trace elements of iron and titanium present as impurities. These mineral impurities that give many colored gems their color are responsible for causing a multitude of fissures and tiny irregularities inside the crystal as it forms.

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