PERIDOT: ARIZONA'S GREEN GEM

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Peridot like gold and diamond is not worth much in the ground. Unlike gold and diamond it is not as simple to process, polish and drill. Because it has not been so precious and highly profitable, peridot has been one of the lesser known gem stones. Today one man more than anyone we know is responsible for the phenomenal popularity of Arizona's world traveling green gem stone. Elliott Glasser, internationally known mineral processor and gem dealer, has created an industry through the development of modern devices to tumble, polish and drill the delicate tumble bead. (Page 7) In drilled bead form and in the rough polished state, Arizona's peridot is used by the world's finest stone faceters and bead stringers. Glasser's headquarters at 4234 Craftsmen's Court, Scottsdale is the hub of a new and growing international peridot industry. Because of the Glasser process and the market horizons which stretch around the globe, buyers come from foreign lands to seek the best of Arizona's green gem from the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

The treasures of the Southwest Desert have attracted mankind since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors and before. After more than four centuries people are still being attracted to the desert in search of mineral wealth and they are finding it. Agate, jasper, chalcedony, fire agate, petrified wood, amethyst, turquoise, dumortierite, and peridot are just some of the gem materials found in the desert and elsewhere in the state. Of these, one of the most valuable is the gem peridot. The name comes from the French, hence the last syllable is pronounced "doe." Peridot is formed in the fires of a volcano, making it almost unique in the gem world. The most famous gem, diamond, is also formed in the same type environment but has never been found in the peridot occurrences of the state since conditions for its formation differ somewhat from those required for peridot. At least one massive volcanic outcrop of peridotite, a rock composed mostly of peridot, has been identified between the border of Arizona and the San Juan River to the north but no diamonds have been found. Peridot is a green gem, its color ranging from a bright yellow green to a deep lustrous green. Scientists say it is an idiochromatic, or self-coloring, gem since it has variations in the amount of iron and magnesium which create the subtle changes in hue.

There are only three major sources of supply for this beautiful gem, an island in the Red Sea, the gem gravels of Burma, and Arizona, with two good deposits. There are many other occurrences for peridot. It may be found as microscopic grains in any basic lava formation. However, for gem grade crystals to form the lava must experience a change in phase, becoming watery enough for the molecules of peridot to migrate toward each other to form grains sufficiently large to be of commercial value. The larger gems have come from foreign deposits but the bulk of the gem market today is being supplied from Arizona sources, primarily the lava formation known as Peridot Mesa on the San Carlos Indian Reservation. The second Arizona deposit is Peridot Ridge and is located north of Fort Defiance, near Canyon de Chelly. Scattered amounts can be found elsewhere, particularly where volcanoes have thrown Ultra-sonic drilling techniques have opened new markets for the attractive Arizona peridot beads strung alone or with gold, silver, and other adornment.

by Bringing large masses of basaltic lava into the air to cool and harden before hitting the ground. These "bombs," as they are called, often contain gemmy grains of peridot, often too small to cut but beautiful nonetheless. As the forces of weathering work on basaltic lava containing grains of peridot, the grains are released and scattered along the washes and slopes where diligent collectors seek them out.

Peridot has been a popular gem throughout history. It was prized by the Egyptians who worked the Red Sea deposits. There is some evidence that the Breastplate of the high priest Aaron may have contained peridot as one of its twelve stones. The second stone was called, "Pjtdah," a green stone most think now was topaz while others still feel was peridot. These same twelve stones were later described as being embedded in the twelve foundation stones of Jerusalem. Named for the twelve apostles, these apocalyptic gems were credited with showing true spiritual preaching accompanied by miracles. Peridot was later endowed with the ability to ward off the thirst of fever when carried under the tongue and, when powdered, to be a remedy for asthma.

Though many people suffering from respiratory ailments come to the desert and seek its gems it is for the beauty of the stones not their mystical powers. There is still a trace of these ancient beliefs still reflected in our culture today as we prize peridot as the birthstone of August.

Currently, peridot is emerging as a marketable gem in Arizona. The current world's supply is limited with Arizona producing the greater amount of gem material for baroque jewelry. Large sized crystal grains suitable for large stones are rare in Arizona. The majority of what is found produces marvelously bright yellow green to green stones under five carats in weight. The National Gem Collection in the Smithsonian boasts a fine large Arizona gem weighing 22.9 carats. The significant increase in interest in Indian jewelry has provided an outlet for the gems being found on the San Carlos Reservation. Gem rough is collected by free-lance diggers, all Indians. This they sell off to two major markets. The Peridot Mining and Marketing Project, under the direction of Mr. Joseph Goombi, on the Reservation is one outlet. The other, off the Reservation processors who pick up the rough stones to polish, cut and drill for world-wide distribution. Since Hawaii is so well known as a volcanic region, peridot has long been prized there. The volcanics of the Islands, however, do not produce large grains of peridot in sufficient quantity to satisfy demands so quantities of Arizona material fill the bill. Known as "Pele's Tears" in Hawaii, Arizona peridot jewelry is readily available throughout the islands.

PERIDOT from page 6

More interesting is the government sponsored self-help project now in its fourth year on the San Carlos Reservation. Over thirty people, not including the free-lance diggers, are employed in the project. In that short time the program has become self-sustaining, wholesaling several thousand dollars worth of Indian jewelry of all types every month. The jewelry is made by apprentice craftsmen learning the trade under the direction of qualified staff. Output ranges from bolas, to rings, bracelets, belt buckles, and almost any type jewelry normally made by Indian silversmiths. The peridot is tumble polished for some jewelry. The better gemstones are exported for faceting and mounting in fine settings. Since scientists have estimated that perhaps as much as one-third of the rock volume of peridot mesa is peridot, the mesa being some two miles long, it seems obvious there will be sufficient raw materials to maintain and even expand this interesting gem market.

Peridot has been prized by the Indians for years. As they work to develop their project, the ancient gem of the Bible, whose soft velvet green loveliness is unmatched, should become more and more fashionable. Arizona peridot may not cure asthma as the Ancients believed but the search for it will be beneficial and the pleasure of obtaining an Arizona native gem will be unique!