Its Saint Patricks Day and wearing green is all the scene! When it comes to green gemstones, your mind may mostly gravitate toward emeralds, but there are actually many stones that come in hues of this lovely color.
Peridot is one of the few gemstones occuring in only one color: olive green. The depth of the green depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure. This means individual peridot gems can vary in color from yellow all the way to a more brownish-green with the most valuable color being the customary olive green. Peridot is found in the United States as well as in the countries of China, Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.
Tourmaline is another gemstone that comes in green, as well as red, blue and yellow. However, green is regarded as the classic tourmaline color. Among green tourmalines there is quite a wide spectrum of color. Some of them are extremely light and others nearly black.
Onyx is a variety of chalcedony. The color ranges for onyx from white to almost every color except blue. Green onyx is rare and gorgeous and said to have healing properties which alleviate stress and fear.
And last but not least, emeralds! Emeralds occur in hues ranging from yellow-green to blue-green. Emeralds are the green variety of beryl, a mineral which comes in many other colors. Emeralds have been mined in Egypt since 1500 BCE, and India, and Austria since at least the 14th century.
