Olivine (Peridot)
Image: Robert M. Lavinsky (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameOlivine (Peridot)
Chemical Formula(Mg,Fe)2SiO4
Mohs Hardness6.5
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagepoor to indistinct in two directions
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.34
Colorsgreen, yellowish-green, olive-green
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalitySuppat, Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, refractory materials, industrial
Associated Mineralspyroxene, plagioclase, chromite, magnetite
Rarityuncommon
Description
A lovely, equant crystal of Peridot with excellent vibrant green color and well-formed habit. The faces attractively vary from clear and lustrous to slightly frosted.
Geological Context
Olivine is a primary mineral in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks such as basalt, gabbro, and peridotite, and is a major component of the Earth's upper mantle. It can also be found in some metamorphic rocks.
