mineral
Peridot (Olivine)
Magnesium Iron Silicate (Mg, Fe)2SiO4
Hardness: 6.5–7 on Mohs scale; Color: Olive-green, yellow-green, or brownish-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 3.27–3.37.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Olive-green, yellow-green, or brownish-green
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5–7 on Mohs scale; Color: Olive-green, yellow-green, or brownish-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); 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 (basaltic rocks) or found in pallasite meteorites. It is an igneous mineral that crystallizes at very high temperatures.
Uses & applications
Primary use is in jewelry as a gemstone. Industrial-grade olivine is used in metal casting, as a refractory material for furnace linings, and as a sandblasting abrasive.
Geological facts
Peridot is the birthstone for August. It is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color. Some peridots have extraterrestrial origins, found in meteorites that are over 4 billion years old.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive olive-green color and 'bottleglass' appearance. In the field, look for small, glassy grains in dark volcanic basalt or within 'olivine bombs.' Common locations include Arizona (USA), Pakistan, Myanmar, and the Canary Islands.
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