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

Location: Gila, Arizona, San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation

Weight: 11.6 Ounces

Dimensions: 3.5 Inches Long, 2.6 Inches Wide, 2.2 Inches Thick 

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Peridot, the green gemstone variety of olivine, is one of the few gems that form in the Earth’s mantle rather than in the crust. In the United States, the most important source of this unique gemstone is Peridot Mesa in Gila County, Arizona, located within the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. This site has supplied a large portion of domestically mined peridot for generations.

The geological history of Peridot Mesa is tied to ancient volcanic activity that transported olivine-rich material from deep within the Earth to the surface. As lava flows cooled, peridot crystals became embedded within basalt rock. Today, miners recover these crystals as loose grains and clusters distributed throughout multiple basalt layers, some of which reach several dozen meters in thickness.

Access to Peridot Mesa is controlled by the San Carlos Apache Tribe, with entry permitted only through official authorization. Visitors must obtain a recreation permit from the San Carlos Apache Recreation and Wildlife Department along Highway 70 east of Globe. Peridot crystals from this locality commonly range from 6 to 13 millimeters, making them ideal for cutting and polishing. The mesa is also known for seasonal wildflower displays, adding ecological interest to its geological significance.