mineral

Olivine (Peridot)

Magnesium Iron Silicate (Mg, Fe)2SiO4

Hardness: 6.5–7 (Mohs scale); Color: Olive-green, yellow-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Orthorhombic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific gravity: 3.27–4.37.

Hardness: 6
Color: Olive-green, yellow-green
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 6.5–7 (Mohs scale); Color: Olive-green, yellow-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal structure: Orthorhombic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific gravity: 3.27–4.37.

Formation & geological history

Formed in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks (basalt, gabbro, peridotite). It is one of the first minerals to crystallize from cooling magma and can be found in the mantle. Specimens are often billions of years old.

Uses & applications

Gem-quality crystals (Peridot) are used in jewelry. Industrial-grade olivine is used in metal casting (foundry sand), as refractory sand, and in the steel industry to remove impurities.

Geological facts

Olivine has been discovered on the moon, Mars, and in pallasite meteorites from outer space. It is the primary component of the Earth's upper mantle.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinctive pistachio to olive green color and brittle, granular habit. Commonly found in volcanic areas like Hawaii, Arizona, or regions with exposed tectonic plates like Norway.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

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

Epidote

Epidote - Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)3(SiO4)3(OH)

mineral