How Emerald and Peridot differ in what they are, color, hardness and care.
| Emerald | Peridot | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A green variety of the mineral beryl, colored by chromium and vanadium. One of the "big four" gems with diamond, ruby and sapphire. | A gem form of the mineral olivine, one of the few gems found in only one color family: green. |
| Birthstone for | May | August |
| Colors | Deep, vivid green; deep green with even color is valued most | Vivid green with slight golden undertones; Golden green; Lime |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5 to 8 | 6.5 to 7 |
| Toughness | Fair to good. Needs more careful wear than ruby or sapphire. | Fair to good. Wear with care to avoid scratches and hard blows. |
| Everyday wear | Wear with care | Wear with care |
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Risky: vibrations can weaken stones with fractures | Not recommended |
| Main sources | Colombia (some of the finest), Zambia (often darker, with bluish undertones), Brazil (often lighter) | Arizona (US), Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), China |
| Common treatments | Some estimates say 90 percent or more of emeralds are fracture filled. | Not stated |
Emerald is the harder of the two (7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale). Choose by the color you love and how the piece will be worn; for a ring worn every day, the tougher stone will last better.
Sources: GIA: Emerald care and cleaning, AGS: May birthstone, GIA: Peridot care and cleaning, AGS: Peridot. Checked October 16, 2026.
Birthstone of the month
On the first of each month: that month's birthstone, what it means and how to care for it.
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