OLIVINE (PERIDOT) - Red Sea, Egypt
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OLIVINE (PERIDOT)
Box of small tumble-polished pebbles
St. John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
St. John’s Island (also called Zabargad Island) in the Red Sea has been the source of the gemstone peridot since ancient times. There is evidence that there was active mining here as long ago as the 3rd century BC.
The best surviving Zabargad peridots are still amongst the finest ever found. Those of a deep green colour have been known to have been classified as emeralds. Magnificent cut peridots from here of over 100 carats can be seen in London’s Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian in Washington DC.
Peridot is the gem quality variety of the mineral olivine, and those from this Island occur in rocks called peridotites that originate at a great depth and have been brought to the surface in the Red Sea rift zone. Some crystals can be as large as 20 centimetres. These rocks provide an insight into conditions in the mantle and how mantle rocks get uplifted to the Earth’s surface.
Note: The pebbles are held between two clear membranes in what is known as a 'floating' display box. This enables the pebbles to show their true colour.
Click on a picture for a larger image
Size: 4 x 4 x 1.6 centimetres (size of box)
Weight: varies
Price per box
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