3.5" Natural Emerald Peridot And Chromium Crystals Minerals On Volcanic Rock Gila, AZ

Location: Gila, Arizona, San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation

Weight: 11.1 Ounces

Dimensions: 3.5 Inches Long, 2.4 Inches Wide, 2.3 Inches Thick 

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Peridot, the gemstone form of the mineral olivine, is famously associated with the state of Arizona, where some of the world’s finest examples are found. One of the most important peridot-producing regions is Gila County, particularly the area known as Peridot Mesa, which lies within the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. This site represents the primary source of commercially mined peridot in the United States and has played a major role in supplying the global gemstone market for decades.

Peridot Mesa is located east of Globe, Arizona, and is geologically significant as the eroded remains of an ancient volcanic system. The mesa is composed largely of basalt flows, within which peridot crystals are naturally embedded. These crystals were carried upward from deep within the Earth’s mantle during volcanic eruptions and became trapped in the cooling basalt. As a result, peridot is found at this site as loose grains and crystal clusters distributed throughout basalt layers that range from several meters to several dozen meters in thickness.

Mining activity at Peridot Mesa is managed exclusively by the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and access to the area is restricted. Entry requires a tribal recreation permit issued by the San Carlos Apache Recreation and Wildlife Department, located along Highway 70 east of Globe. Typical peridot crystals recovered from the mesa range from approximately 6 to 13 millimeters in size, making them well-suited for faceting and jewelry use. In addition to its geological importance, the region is known for seasonal blooms of Mexican goldpoppies, adding natural beauty to the rugged volcanic landscape. The nearby community of Peridot, Arizona, located within the reservation, has long benefited economically from more than half a century of peridot mining, making this area both a geological treasure and a vital part of local heritage.