gemstone
Peridot
Olivine ((Mg,Fe)2SiO4)
Hardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, Color: Olive green, bottle green, or brownish-green, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal structure: Orthorhombic, Cleavage: Poor, Specific gravity: 3.2-4.3
- Hardness
- 6
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, Color: Olive green, bottle green, or brownish-green, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal structure: Orthorhombic, Cleavage: Poor, Specific gravity: 3.2-4.3
Formation & geological history
Formed in the Earth's mantle under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, brought to the surface via volcanic activity or found in meteorites.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry as a gemstone (the traditional birthstone for August) and occasionally in refractory bricks.
Geological facts
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color: green. Some peridot crystals have even been found in pallasite meteorites, making them extraterrestrial in origin.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic olive-green color and conchoidal fracture. Found in Arizona, China, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Africa.
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