mineral

Green olivine (peridot)

Olivine, (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄; gem-quality olivine is called peridot

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Olive-green, translucent to opaque, vitreous luster; hardness 6.5–7, orthorhombic crystals, poor cleavage, and conchoidal to uneven fracture. The specimen appears irregular and partly translucent, but a photo cannot confirm its identity.

Identified October 17, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Olivine crystallizes from magnesium- and iron-rich magma and is common in mantle rocks such as peridotite and in basalt. Earth’s olivine-bearing rocks span a wide range of ages; the specimen’s age and source cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Peridot is used in jewelry; ordinary olivine is also studied as a mantle-rock indicator and has limited use in refractory and foundry materials.

Geological facts

Olivine is among the most abundant minerals in Earth’s upper mantle, and peridot is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color family.

Field identification & locations

Check for a distinctly olive-green color, glassy luster, and hardness near 7; confirm with mineral tests, since green glass and other minerals can look similar. Found in basalt, peridotite, and some meteorites; the image alone does not establish this specimen’s identity.