Olivine
Image: Brocken Inaglory (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameOlivine
Chemical Formula(Mg,Fe)2SiO4
Mohs Hardness6.5
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagepoor on {010} and {100}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.3
Colorsyellowish-green, olive-green, green
Transparencytransparent to translucent
Type LocalityPapakolea Beach, Hawaii
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesgemstone (peridot), refractory material, industrial sand, collector's specimens
Associated Mineralspyroxene, plagioclase, magnetite, basalt
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays numerous small, yellowish-green, granular olivine crystals forming green sand, embedded within the dark, porous matrix of a volcanic lava rock.
Geological Context
Olivine is a primary mineral in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks such as basalt and peridotite, crystallizing from magma at high temperatures and pressures, and is a major component of Earth's upper mantle.
