mineral

Peridot in Matrix

Olivine ((Mg,Fe)2SiO4)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, pale to vibrant olive-green color, vitreous to greasy luster, orthorhombic crystal system, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity of 3.2 to 4.4.

Identified August 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, pale to vibrant olive-green color, vitreous to greasy luster, orthorhombic crystal system, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity of 3.2 to 4.4.

Formation & geological history

Formed in the Earth's mantle under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, brought to the surface via volcanic activity within basaltic lavas or mantle xenoliths.

Uses & applications

Used as a gemstone in jewelry, collector mineral specimens, and historically in industrial refractory materials.

Geological facts

Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color (green), though the shade varies depending on the amount of iron present in its crystal structure.

Field identification & locations

Easily identifiable in the field by its characteristic bottle-green or olive-green granular crystals embedded within darker basaltic or peridotite host rocks.