Olivine's name comes from its olive green color. It is a major rock forming mineral, typically found in dark colored igneous rocks such as basalt, gabbro & peridotite. Gem variety olivine is known as peridotite, August's birthstone.
| (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 |
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| Nesosilicate |
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| Orthorhombic |
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| 2/m 2/m 2/m |
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| 6.5-7 |
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| 3.27-4.37 |
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| {001} good, {010} distinct |
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| Conchoidal |
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| Olive green |
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| White |
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| Vitreous |
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| Transparent/translucent |
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| Massive, granular |
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| Main component of the rock peridotite |
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| Notable Localities: |
Burma; New Mexico; Snarum, Norway; Germany; Arizona |
| Uses: |
Refractory sand, cut as a gem (peridot) |
| Pyroxene, plagioclase, magnetite, corundum, chromite, serpentine |
Specimens:
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