Olivine (Peridot)
Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameOlivine (Peridot)
Chemical Formula(Mg,Fe)2SiO4
Mohs Hardness6.5
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagepoor on {010}, indistinct on {100}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.34
Colorslime-green, yellowish-green, olive-green
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityMøre og Romsdal, Norway
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, refractory material, industrial, collector
Associated Mineralspyroxene, chromite, magnetite, plagioclase
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen is a deeply-colored, translucent to transparent lime-green crystal of olivine, exhibiting a blocky habit and vitreous luster.
Geological Context
Olivine is a primary mineral in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks such as basalt, gabbro, and peridotite, forming at high temperatures and pressures deep within the Earth's mantle. It can also be found in some metamorphic rocks and meteorites.
