mineral

Peridot

Olivine (Magnesium Iron Silicate), (Mg, Fe)2SiO4

Hardness: 6.5–7.0 (Mohs); Color: Olive-green, yellow-green; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 3.27–3.37

Hardness: 6
Color: Olive-green, yellow-green
Luster: Vitreous

Identified April 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5–7.0 (Mohs); Color: Olive-green, yellow-green; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 3.27–3.37

Formation & geological history

Formed deep within the Earth's mantle and brought to the surface by volcanic activity inside igneous rocks like basalt. It is also found in pallasite meteorites from space.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry as a gemstone and as a birthstone for August. Lower quality olivine is used in industrial processes like sandblasting and steel manufacturing.

Geological facts

Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color: green. Some specimens originate from outer space, found within meteorites that crashed to Earth.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinctive oil-green color and strong double refraction. Commonly found in basaltic rocks or as grains in volcanic sands like those in Hawaii.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral