Is It Peridot or Emerald?

“Evening Emerald” is a name that has, for quite a long time, been used for the Peridot. Peridot glows bright green when exposed to artificial light. It is not quite as intense as an Emerald, but is quite similar in appearance. Peridots can be expensive, especially those of greater than two carat weight. Eight carat peridot is rare and anything larger can only be found in museums. A couple of museums displaying large peridot examples are the Field Museum in Chicago and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The Smithsonian has the largest speciman at 310 carats of cut stone. While peridot is sometimes mistaken for an emerald, it is not as intense. Larger peridot stones for 2 or 3 carats can be quite expensive, and over eight carats is rare. Stones greater than eight carats can only be found in museums. Two of the finest peridot displays containing some of the largest and best specimens are in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and the Field Museum in Chicago. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington has a peridot that is 310 carats.

Peridot was probably derived from the French “peritot,” meaning gold. Both the Arabs and the Greeks, however, may lay claim to the naming of the gemstone. The Old Arabic name for Zabargad, the island where the stone was first mined, was “Faridat”, and the Greeks have a word that means “giving plenty,” “peridona.”

One famous large peridot gem adorning the shrine of the Three Holy Kings in the cathedral at Cologne was for centuries, believed to be an emerald, and only identified as peridot late in the last century. A few jewelry historians are now convinced that some, maybe all of the emeralds Cleopatra was famous for wearing, were not actually emeralds, but Peridots from Egypt. This emerald-looking shade of green is almost never encountered in peridots under ten carats. To find stones of such color, one must look in Egypt and Burma, where production has reached a virtual standstill in recent years.

Many experts believe that the second gemstone in Aaron’s breastplate was a peridot. There is also an argument that has never been settled as to which gem was used as the seventh foundation stone for the New Jerusalem of the Bible. Some authorities maintain that this too was peridot.

Whatever the case, you’ll find that beautiful peridot gemstone jewelry will make you feel as rich and wonderful as Cleo herself.

Treat yourself to something beautiful today. There is an amazing array of gorgeous gemstone jewelry awaiting you at Peridot Gemstone, Tourmaline Gemstone, and Topaz Gemstone. Come find the perfect gift for yourself — you deserve it!

Aloe Vera Plant

Like all of us, you too have had your share of cuts and wounds at some time and you would have noticed that the time taken for healing may not always be quick. Is there any way you can hasten the process of healing? Regarded as an astonishing and extraordinary plant by many because of the tremendous health benefits which it carries. Our association with aloe vera goes back thousands of years when it was used for its effect on the skin and as the legend goes even Alexander the Great and Cleopatra used aloe vera for its alleviating properties.

The first reason is that aloe vera juice is one of the splendid moisturizing agents known. For wounds to recover correctly, they need lots of moisture around which is not possible with dry dressings which in any case is painful during removal and even changing. The superb moisturizing benefits are yours if you decide to apply it directly on the skin like a cream or gel or you could even decide to consume it like a pill or with fluids where aloe vera works from the inside. Cuts and wounds are usually accompanied by inflammation surrounding the area, and aloe vera with its quick-acting anti-inflammatory properties helps in mitigating the inflammation which is one more reason behind its efficacy. This aspect of the recuperating process reduces the healing time and mitigates the accompanying pain.

And at the end, aloe vera accompanied by its inherent nutrients help in healthy cell augmentation which results in increased blood flow to the skin and in turn purifies the skin from many germs. Additionally, depending on whether the wounds are an outcome of any particular ailment, it’s consumption improves the overall immunity of the body so that it is better equipped to combat any further recurrence of the medical condition.

So overall it is clear that aloe vera is a highly effective treatment for any cuts and wounds you may have, as it will reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process. Not just effective at healing cuts and wounds, it is equally potent in treating some other types of skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis. In case your are still contemplating using aloe vera, it is time you should, since it also has additional benefits like having anti-ageing properties and as a pain reducer during sunburns.