Peridot is a gem variety of the mineral olivine and serves as the birthstone for August as well as the gemstone for the 16th wedding anniversary. Along with peridot, we have included imitations of demantoid and tsavorite (natural green garnets) in the SIAMITE® yellowish-green gemstones reflections group.
MATERIALS OVERVIEW
The color and other physical properties of peridot are determined by the ratio of iron and magnesium in its composition, as olivine is a continuous solid solution between fayalite (Fe₂SiO₄) and forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄). Peridots with a high proportion of fayalite (iron) exhibit brownish green, olive-green, and yellow-green colors. As the proportion of forsterite (magnesium) increases, the color shifts to yellowish-green and green.
Demantoid (a type of Andradite garnet) displays a color range from very strong yellowish green to vibrant green. Natural Tsavorites (Grossular garnet) typically exhibit light to deep forest green colors, with slightly yellowish varieties also present, though they are less valued.
In the attached table of physical properties of the described gems and their imitations, it is evident that SIAMITE® is much closer to natural stones in terms of hardness and specific gravity than cubic zirconia, but it has a noticeably lower refractive index. Cubic zirconia, in comparison, has significantly higher hardness, refractive index, and density parameters relative to both natural stones and SIAMITE®.
|
|
Peridot |
Demantoid |
Tsavorite |
SIAMITE® |
CZ |
|
Hardness |
6.5-7 |
6.5-7 |
7-7.5 |
7.5 |
8-8.5 |
|
Reflective Index |
1.64-1.7 |
1.8-1.89 |
1.74 |
1.63 |
2.1-2.2 |
|
Specific Gravity g/cm3 |
3.2-4.3 |
3.84 |
3.6-3.68 |
3.2-3.3 |
5.5-6.1 |
PERIDOT AND GREEN GARNET REFLECTIONS
COLOR PALETTE
Below, in Table and in Figures you can see the entire range of available colors and shades of SIAMITE® imitations of peridots and green garnets. We tried and, in my opinion, we succeeded to reproduce the entire color range of peridots, demantoids and tsavorites existing in nature - from the most saturated to very light and from yellowish to vivid green. Some of them are bestsellers because they are visually indistinguishable from the most valuable natural analogues - green peridots from Afghanistan and Pakistan (#1050, 1053, 1056), demantoids of the Ural Mountains (#1061-1063) and tsavorites from Kenya (#1080-1083, 1070-1073).
PERIDOT AND GREEN GARNET REFLECTIONS
MATERIAL SAMPLE
All SIAMITE®, regardless of color, shade, or saturation, is successfully used for casting with stones—it does not change color or crack due to thermal shock. The material is offered for sale both as rough and in faceted form (from 0.8 mm and above). In addition to standard shapes and sizes, we accept orders for custom designs, including fantasy stones, intaglios, cameos, and other 2D and 3D shapes.
It should be noted that although natural peridots and garnets have a higher refractive index than all SIAMITE®, the differences in the brilliance of faceted stones are minimal and not particularly noticeable. However, in the case of cubic zirconia in peridot or garnet colors, the differences in brilliance are much more pronounced.
SIAMITE® is the best imitation of many natural-colored gemstones, including peridot, demantoid, and tsavorite. Therefore, there is no need to harm the environment by mining when you can use material, produced sustainably, affordably, and in a wide range of colors, sizes, and shapes.