Potrillo Maar is another volcanic maar located west of El Paso, Texas. Situated 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 (RD) in February of 2004.

The geology of Potrillo Maar is essentially identical to that of nearby Kilbourne Hole. At both locations, a vessicular basalt containing olivine inclusions rose to the surface and was ejected in a violent explosion. Although extremely rare, gem quality peridot can sometimes be collected in the area of Potrillo Maar. Most of the olivine in this area is a vibrant yellowish-green (as seen in the above gem). Fragments sufficiently large to cut a gemstone are amost unheard of from this site, but field collectors might still wish to visit this unusual geologic feature.

Sorry folks, this is the only piece of peridot I have ever found at Potrillo Maar that was large enough to cut a gemstone. It is not for sale.

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