peridot

American  

[per-i-doh, -dot] / ˈpɛr ɪˌdoʊ, -ˌdɒt /

noun

Mineralogy.

1. a green transparent variety of olivine, used as a gem.

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peridot British  

/ ˈpɛrɪˌdɒt /

noun

1. a pale green transparent variety of the olivine chrysolite, used as a gemstone

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Usage

What does peridot mean? Peridot (pronounced PAIR-i-doh or PAIR-i-dot) is a transparent gemstone that ranges in color from light green to bright green to dark green.Peridot is a variety of the mineral olivine and is sometimes called precious olivine. It’s considered a semiprecious gem, which is a label applied to a class of gems that have a commercial value that’s less than that of stones labeled precious, such as diamonds.Peridot is one of the birthstones for the month of August. It is associated with the zodiac signs Leo and Virgo.Example: Since I was born in August, I sometimes get peridot jewelry as a birthday gift.

Other Word Forms

• peridotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of peridot

1300–50; < French péridot; replacing Middle English peritot < Middle French

Example Sentences

The crown glitters with stones including tourmalines, white and yellow topazes, rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, peridot, zircons, spinel and aquamarines.

From Seattle Times • May 5, 2023

My peridot saw them via AR and immediately perked up.

From The Verge • Jun. 17, 2022

The new offerings come in semiprecious stones such as aquamarine, pink tourmaline, citrine, amethyst and peridot as well as precious gems such as rubies and sapphires.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2019

His penultimate dress was a lavish ballgown — regal in its sweep — in a combination of navy, bordeaux and peridot.

From Washington Post • Feb. 18, 2015

Chromates were made, the emerald and corundum crystalized, the peridot formed, and many combinations as yet unknown to mineralogists produced.

From The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 1, August, 1851 by Various