igneous
Olivine (Peridotite)
Magnesium iron silicate ((Mg, Fe)2SiO4)
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Olive-green, yellow-green; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic; Specific Gravity: 3.2-4.4
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Olive-green, yellow-green
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs; Color: Olive-green, yellow-green; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic; Specific Gravity: 3.2-4.4
Formation & geological history
Formed in the Earth's upper mantle and brought to the surface by tectonic or volcanic activity. It is a primary component of ultramafic igneous rocks like peridotite and dunite.
Uses & applications
Industrial uses include blast furnace refractory and sand casting. Gem-quality specimens (Peridot) are used in jewelry. Also used as a geological indicator for mineral deposits.
Geological facts
Olivine is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's mantle by volume. It has also been discovered in meteorites (pallasites) and on the surface of Mars and the Moon.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive olive-green color and sugary (granular) texture. Commonly found in basaltic lava flows and at volcanic sites like those in Hawaii, Arizona, and Norway.
