Kilbourne Hole is a volcanic maar located west of El Paso, Texas. Located on federal land, peridot collected from this deposit is to be used for personal use only. The facet rough used to fashion the above gemstone was collected by me in February of 2004.

The nature of the Kilbourne Hole deposit is somewhat similar to that of Peridot Mesa in Arizona. At Kilbourne Hole, a vessicular basalt containing olivine inclusions rose to the surface and was ejected in a violent explosion. Although much more rare than at San Carlos, gem quality peridot can sometimes be collected around the Kilbourne Hole crater rim. The color of the peridot from this location varies from a dark olive green to a vibrant yellowish-green (as seen in the above gem). Although gem quality fragments of peridot from this locality are quite rare, they can be found through diligent exploration. If you are a field collector, you might wish to visit this unusual geologic feature.

The above gemstone, a true rarity, would look great in a pendant, pin, ring or other piece of custom jewelry.

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