How Much Is Peridot Worth?
Peridot is one of the few gems that comes in only one colour — green. So its price comes down to how rich and pure that green is, and how big the stone gets.
Peridot is gem-quality olivine, and unusually honest to shop for: there’s no heating, no irradiation, no diffusion in the trade, so what you see is what you get. Because it’s only ever green, you don’t juggle a colour wheel — you just judge how pure and saturated that green is, then check the size.
What drives the price: colour purity, then size
The most prized peridot is a rich, slightly “grassy” olive-green with as little brown or yellow as possible. A pure green needs iron-rich material and larger crystals, so colour and size pull together: big, clean, deeply coloured stones are scarce and jump in price per carat. Most peridot in jewellery is small and yellowish-green, which keeps it very affordable.
Typical fair prices
Natural, eye-clean, well-cut stones, mid-2020s retail. Fine Pakistani/Burmese material runs at the top of each band; Arizona goods sit lower.
| Colour grade | 1–3 ct | 5 ct+ |
|---|---|---|
| Pale / yellowish | $20–$60/ct | $40–$90/ct |
| Good green | $60–$150/ct | $120–$300/ct |
| Rich olive-green | $150–$300/ct | $300–$600/ct |
| Fine (Kashmir/Burma) | $250–$450/ct | $500–$900/ct+ |
Watch-outs
- Glass imitations. Cheap green glass is sold as peridot, especially in small mounted stones. Glass often has rounded facet edges and tiny gas bubbles; peridot shows strong doubling of the back facets.
- Confused with green tourmaline or chrome diopside. These look similar but price differently. Ask for the species in writing.
- Paying a premium for “untreated.” All peridot is untreated — it’s the norm, not a feature worth extra money.
- Soft and brittle. Peridot is only about 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale and sensitive to knocks and acids. That doesn’t lower value, but factor it into ring choices.
The GIA’s peridot quality factors rank a pure, saturated green highest, with brown or yellow modifiers lowering value. The International Gem Society confirms peridot is not routinely treated and notes its distinctive doubled facets.
Buy peridot with carat and colour stated
Our sister marketplace lists weight, colour and origin up front — so you can price the green, not the name.
Browse peridot at Minerals Kingdom →FAQ
Is peridot a good value gem?
Yes. For a natural, untreated, vivid-green stone, peridot is one of the best buys in coloured gems — especially in the 1–3 ct sizes that stay very affordable.
Why does big peridot cost so much more per carat?
Clean rough that yields a large, richly coloured stone is rare. Below ~5 ct, peridot is common; above it, fine material becomes scarce and the per-carat price climbs.
Is Arizona peridot lower quality?
Not lower quality, but typically smaller and more yellowish-green, so it’s cheaper. The richest, largest stones tend to come from Pakistan (Kashmir) and historically Myanmar.
More value guides
Sources
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) — peridot quality factors. International Gem Society (IGS) — peridot information & identification. Price ranges are Fair Carat’s synthesis of mid-2020s online retail; verify current dealer prices before buying.Independent gem-value research. We don’t sell stones and sellers can’t buy a better verdict.
Informational only — not a formal appraisal. For insurance or resale, get a certified appraisal.