Zabargad: The Ancient Peridot Island in the Red Sea

Abstract

Reflecting on his 1980 visit to Zabargad, the author provides 11ti update on this relatively u n k n o w n island and the bcarrtiful peridots for which i t has gained fame. He con~plements his discussion of the geology of Zal?agad, the peridot occurrences, the mining techniques, and the characteristics of the gemstone with a look ut the al~cient history o f the island and the etymological cliangcs surrounding the stone's current name, peridot. Although somewhat l o w on the hardness scale, this n~agnlficent gemstone has regained popufrrr appreciation, and the crystals from Zabargud are still arnolig the finest i n the world.