Peridot and emeralds may appear similar at a casual glance because of their green hue. But when you take a closer look, you’ll find a world of difference. From color and clarity to where they’re found, these two gemstones tell very different stories.

But it’s not just about their differences. When we look at peridot vs emeralds, we’ll see that despite their differences, they have some interesting things in common.

So whether you’re shopping for the perfect gem, adding to your mineral collection, or digging for treasures in the great outdoors, this guide can show you the way. 

Let’s dive into the world of these two stunning gemstones and see what makes them tick.

Peridot vs Emeralds – The Major Differences

You might think peridot and emeralds are quite similar because they’re both green, but actually, they’re pretty different. From their physical characteristics to where they’re found, these two gems are worlds apart.

Appearance – Peridot is usually translucent

One of the ways in which peridot and emeralds differ is their transparency.

Transparency describes how clear a gemstone is, or how much light can pass through it.

Peridot is usually clear and often called “eye-clean,” meaning you likely won’t see tiny imperfections or inclusions in the stone with just the naked eye. If you hold a peridot stone up to the light, you can usually see right through it.

High-quality peridot stones are transparent, and even lower-quality ones are still mostly clear or translucent.

Emeralds, on the other hand, are different. They often have inclusions that can look like tiny fractures or bubbles inside the stone.

Because of these inclusions, emeralds are generally translucent to opaque, which means you won’t be able to see through them very well. Even though some high-quality emeralds can be mostly translucent, they usually aren’t as transparent as peridot.

Colors – Emeralds come in a deep green color

Color is one of the more obvious differences that distinguish emeralds vs peridot. When you see these stones side by side, one of the first things you’ll notice is that they are very different shades of green.

Peridot can be a bright, bottle green or sometimes an olive green. It almost always has a noticeable yellow undertone. This color comes from iron, one of the elements that make up the mineral.

What’s more, no matter what light you’re in – whether you’re outdoors in the sun or indoors under a lamp – peridot will always stay the same vibrant shade of green.

Now, let’s talk about emeralds. Emeralds are known for their deep, rich green color. Sometimes, they can even look a little bluish-green. They definitely don’t have the same yellow undertone as peridot.

Luster – Peridot shines like glass or like oil on water

When you look at a gemstone, one of the things you’ll notice is how it shines in the light. This shine is called luster. Each type of gemstone has a different luster, and it can help you tell one stone from another.

Take peridot for example. This gemstone has a luster that can be described as vitreous, which means it shines like glass. But there’s something else about peridot’s luster that’s unique.

Sometimes, peridot can also have an oily luster. This doesn’t mean it feels oily. It means that the way it reflects light can look like oil on water.

Like peridot, polished emeralds also have a vitreous luster, so they shine like glass too. But that’s where the similarity ends because emeralds don’t have an oily luster. Instead, they just have that beautiful glass-like shine.

Hardness – Emeralds are quite tough

If you’ve ever tried to scratch a rock or gemstone, you’ll know that some are harder than others. Scientists measure the hardness of minerals using something called the Mohs hardness scale. This scale goes from 1 (very soft) to 10 (very hard).

Peridot is fairly tough. On the Mohs scale, it scores 6.5 to 7. This means it’s tougher than a knife but not as hard as something like a drill bit tip. So, while it’s not the softest gemstone, it can still get scratched if you’re not careful with it.

Emeralds, on the other hand, are even tougher. They score a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. This makes emeralds harder than peridot!

But that doesn’t mean that they’re indestructible. In fact, even though they’re harder, emeralds can actually chip or crack more easily than some softer stones because of their natural internal characteristics.

Crystal structure – Peridot forms short and stubby crystals

When you look at peridot and emeralds, you might not realize that they grow in very different shapes. That’s because when we see them in jewelry, they’re usually cut into gems.

But in nature, peridot and emeralds form different kinds of crystal structures.

Peridot forms in a pattern called the orthorhombic crystal system. That might sound like a mouthful, but it just means the crystals are usually shaped like short, stubby prisms, sort of like a squashed box.

They aren’t very tall or long, but they’re still pretty neat looking.

Emeralds grow in a different way. They form in what’s called the hexagonal system. This means the emerald crystals often grow in six-sided prisms, sort of like a tall, skinny box.

They look different from the peridot crystals because they have more sides and they’re longer.

Cleavage – Emerald chips more easily

In the world of gemstones, cleavage describes how a crystal breaks or splits along certain flat planes. Peridot and emeralds have different types of cleavage, which affects how they can be cut and shaped.

Peridot’s cleavage is considered poor, and it can split in two directions. But there’s a twist! The more iron a peridot has, the better its cleavage gets.

Iron helps the peridot break in a more predictable way, which can make it easier to cut into beautiful gem shapes.

Emeralds, however, are a different story. They have what’s called “imperfect” cleavage. This makes emeralds a little tricky because they can be more likely to break or chip.

So, people who cut emeralds have to be very careful not to split the crystal in the wrong place.

Chemical composition – Peridot’s defining elements are iron and magnesium

A key difference between emeralds and peridot is their chemical composition. Both peridot and emeralds are part of a group of minerals called silicates, but they still have key differences.

Peridot comes from a mineral called olivine. Olivine is made of a few different elements, but the most important for peridot are iron and magnesium.

These elements work together in a special way to give peridot its one-of-a-kind shade of green.

So if you’ve ever wondered how peridot gets its color, you can thank iron and magnesium!

Emeralds, on the other hand, are part of the beryl family of minerals.

What’s interesting about beryl is that it can come in many colors, but when it’s green, we call it an emerald. Emeralds get their rich, deep green color from two elements: chromium and vanadium.

These elements are the secret ingredients that give emeralds their stunning green hue.

Density – Emeralds are less dense

Some things feel heavier than others even if they’re the same size. That’s because of something called density. Density is how much stuff, or mass, is packed into a certain amount of space.

Peridot has a higher density than many other gemstones. Its density is usually between 3.2 to 4.3 grams per cubic centimeter.

Emeralds, meanwhile, have a slightly lower density than peridot, punching in at around 2.76 grams per cubic centimeter.

So even if you have a peridot stone and an emerald that are similar in size, the peridot will usually be heavier. That’s one of the ways you can tell these two gemstones apart.

Formation – Peridot can be found in meteorites and the Earth’s mantle

Peridot and emeralds are both beautiful green gemstones, but they form in totally different ways.

Let’s start with peridot. This gemstone actually forms deep inside the Earth, in a part called the mantle. This is the layer just below the Earth’s crust. Peridot forms in rocks that don’t have a lot of silica, like volcanic basalt.

Here’s a fun fact: peridot isn’t only found on Earth! It’s also been found in meteorites that have fallen from space. It’s also one of only two gems that are known to form in the mantle and not just the crust (the other is diamond!).

Now, let’s talk about emeralds. Unlike peridot, emeralds form closer to the Earth’s surface. They form in a type of rock called pegmatites. These rocks are formed when magma, or melted rock inside the Earth, cools down.

As the magma cools, some elements get left behind in the liquid that’s left. If the right elements are there, like beryllium, emerald crystals can start to grow.

Emeralds can also form in veins in the Earth’s crust, from hot liquids that come up from deeper inside the Earth.

So, if you’re interested in crystal hunting, places with pegmatite rocks or past volcanic activity could be potential spots to find emeralds.

Price – Emeralds are more expensive

Gemstones come at different prices. The pricing of gems can be influenced by how rare they are or how m uch people want them. The color, carat, cut, and clarity, known as the four C’s of gemstones, can also influence pricing.

Let’s take peridot as an example. It’s usually a lot cheaper than gemstones like emeralds.

The value of peridot can vary widely depending on its quality and size, with high-quality peridots being worth significantly more than smaller, less vibrant stones.

If a peridot is a bright, clear green, it’s going to be more expensive than one that’s dull or has a lot of spots or lines in it.

Emeralds are usually a lot more expensive than peridot. That’s because emeralds are rarer, and a lot of people want to buy them.

The most expensive emeralds are the ones that are a deep green color and very clear. But even lower quality emeralds can still cost more than a good quality peridot.

Fluorescence – Peridot doesn’t glow under UV light

Peridot doesn’t usually glow under ultraviolet light, which is the type of light in a blacklight. So if you put peridot under a blacklight, it would look the same as it does in normal light.

This might not seem as exciting, but it’s actually a helpful clue if you’re trying to figure out if a green gemstone is a peridot or not.

Emeralds, on the other hand, often do fluoresce under ultraviolet light. They usually glow a weak red color. This happens because of the stone’s chromium content. Chromium absorbs the ultraviolet light and then releases it as red light, which makes emeralds glow.

Location – Colombia is the largest producer of emeralds

Peridot and emeralds come from different parts of the world. Each gemstone carries a piece of its home with it, no matter where it ends up.

Peridot is mostly found in the southwestern United States. The biggest source of this gem is the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona. It’s also found in other states like Arkansas, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico.

But it’s not just in the U.S. Peridot is also mined in countries around the world like Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.

Emeralds are found in a lot of places too, but the biggest producer of emeralds is Colombia. Colombia produces 50% to 95% of all the emeralds in the world!

The next biggest producer is Zambia. Emeralds can also be found in many other countries like Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Russia, and South Africa.

In the U.S., emeralds have been found in states like Connecticut, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, and South Carolina. They’ve also been discovered in the cold Yukon Territory of Canada!

If you’re an avid rockhound, you might want to visit these areas. They are some of the best rockhounding locations in North America.

Emeralds vs Peridot – The Similarities

Even though peridot and emeralds may seem worlds apart, they actually share some interesting traits. Both gems have their unique charm, but if we dig a little deeper, we’ll find some unexpected similarities.

Streak – The two minerals don’t leave a streak

Have you ever heard of a streak test for minerals? It’s pretty cool. You take a mineral and rub it on a special plate called a streak plate. The color of the streak the mineral leaves behind can tell you a lot about what kind of mineral it is.

Now, here’s a fun fact: both peridot and emeralds don’t leave a visible streak!

This may seem surprising considering their vibrant green colors. The reason for this is their hardness. Both of these gemstones are harder than the streak plate, which is rated a 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.

When peridot and emeralds are rubbed against the plate, they won’t leave a powder residue behind. Thus, they won’t leave a visible streak.

Magnetism – Neither mineral is magnetic

Some things, like iron or a fridge magnet, are magnetic. They have a special property that lets them attract or stick to certain metals. But did you know that some minerals can also be magnetic?

It’s true, but not for peridot and emeralds.

Peridot, even though it has iron in it, is not magnetic.

Emeralds aren’t magnetic either. They don’t have any iron in them or any other elements that would react to magnets. If you tried to stick a magnet to an emerald, it would be like trying to stick a magnet to a glass window.

Conductivity – Both can’t conduct electricity

Conductivity is the ability of a material to let electricity pass through it. Some things, like metal wires, are really good at conducting electricity. But other things, like rubber or plastic, are not good at it at all.

The same goes for minerals. Some can conduct electricity and some can’t.

Let’s talk about peridot and emerald. Both of these gemstones are not good at conducting electricity. They’re both made up of silicate minerals, which are not great at letting electricity flow through them.

The Easiest Ways to Tell Peridot and Emeralds Apart

So, you have a green gem and you’re not sure if it’s a peridot or an emerald? Not to worry! There are some clues that can help you tell the difference. We’re going to look at the key characteristics that set these two stones apart.

Look closely at the color of the gems

First off, you’ll want to look at the color. Both of these gems are green, but they’re different kinds of green.

Peridot is sometimes olive green or bottle green, but it can also look like a bright lime green. If a green stone has a yellow undertone, then it’s likely to be peridot.

On the other hand, emeralds are a different story. They’re known for their deep, rich green color that’s always a deeper, darker green than peridot. If a green stone has a bluish undertone, then it’s likely to be emerald.

So, if you’re looking at a light, bright green gem, it’s probably a peridot. But if you’ve got a gem that’s a rich, deep green or bluish-green color, then you’re probably looking at an emerald. That’s one easy way to tell these two green gems apart!

Check the stones’ clarity

When you’re trying to see if a green gem is a peridot or an emerald, the clarity of the gem can give you some important clues. Let’s break this down.

Peridot, for instance, is usually eye-clean. Looking through a peridot can be kind of like looking through a clear piece of glass.

On the other hand, emeralds are a different story. They’re known for having visible inclusions that can sometimes look like little plants or roots are trapped inside the gem! 

So, when you’re trying to decide if you’re looking at a peridot or an emerald, check out the clarity of the stone. If it’s pretty clear, chances are it’s a peridot. But, if you see a bunch of inclusions, it’s likely an emerald.

Shine a UV light on the stones

Here’s a neat trick you can use to differentiate peridot vs emerald: try shining a UV light on them. If you’ve ever been to a glow-in-the-dark party, you’ve probably seen UV light make white clothes look bright blue or purple.

Now, if you shine a UV light on a peridot, nothing special will happen. Peridot doesn’t fluoresce, so it’ll look pretty much the same under UV light as it does under normal light.

But if you shine a UV light on an emerald, you might see something cool. Emeralds can fluoresce, and most of the time, they’ll give off a weak red glow under UV light.

This trick doesn’t always work because not all emeralds fluoresce. But it can be a helpful clue when you’re trying to figure out what kind of gem you have.