One of the oldest and most important peridot deposit sites in the world is the mine on the tiny island of Zabargad, just off the coast of Egypt. This two-square-mile strip of land was the first documented source of peridot over 4,000 years ago. Today’s peridot is found mainly in Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, and Norway, as well as in the U.S. in places such as Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii and New Mexico.
The Peridot symbolizes luck and success. According to the legends of the old Egyptian Pharaohs, in order for Peridot to exert its fullest power, it must be set in gold and hung around one’s neck. Only then can it ward off evil. Legend says that peridot was the preferred protective gem worn by pirates throughout history, and that peridot was credited to be a helpful antidote in dispelling negative emotions and attracting love, wealth, and divine inspiration.
