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Peridot from Egypt
SILICATES; NESOSILICATES · ORTHORHOMBIC

Olivine

The Olivine group is composed of the following primary members:
Forsterite: Mg2SiO4
Olivine (Chrysolite): (Mg,Fe)2SiO4
Fayalite: Fe2SiO4

The intermediary variety, Olivine, is not scientifically recognized as a separate mineral, but is nevertheless well-established. The mineral Tephroite (Mn2SiO4), which many consider a member of the Olivine group, forms a series with Forsterite.

There are other rarer members of the Olive group such as Tephroite.

Hardness
6.5–7
Streak
Colorless
Spec. Gravity
3.2–3.4
System
Orthorhombic

About

Olivine is one of the most common minerals in the earth, and is a major rock forming mineral. Despite this, good specimens and large crystals are uncommon and sought after. Only few localities yield large examples of this mineral, although small and microscopic grains are found worldwide. Olivine is also found in meteorites, and large grains have been reported in many of them.

Olivine is not scientifically classified by the IMA as an individual mineral species, but is rather recognized as a mineral group with the Forsterite and Fayalite end members. Fayalite and Forsterite create a solid solution series, and most specimens identified as Olivine fall somewhere in between this series, almost always leaning more towards Forsterite with a greater content of magnesium. Pure Forsterite is uncommon, and pure Fayalite is very rare.

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Most often as rounded grains, in dense aggregates of grainy crystals, as fractured masses, and as rounded waterworn pebbles and grains. Large crystals, which are prismatic and stubby, are uncommon except at a few select localities. Crystals often have rounded faces.

Complex Tests

Striking Features

Environment

Varieties

✓ common  · ✗ uncommon

Polymorphs

Uses

Olivine has several industrial uses. It is used as a flux for steel production, and is also an important ore of the metal magnesium.

Peridot, the transparent olive-green to yellow-green variety, is a well-known gemstone. It is very popular in jewelry, and is used in many jewelry items including rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August.

For additional information, see the gemstone section on Peridot.

Noteworthy Localities

The most classic source of gem Peridot is St. John's Island (Zagbargad) in the Red Sea, Egypt, which once produced outstanding large crystals. This deposit has produced Peridot since ancient times and has long since been exhausted. The largest Peridot crystals now come from Pakistan at Sapat Gali, Mansehra, in the Kohistan District. Large gemmy Peridot crystals also come from Mogok, Burma (Myanmar).

Other significant worldwide deposits of Olivine include the Eifel Mountains of Germany; Monte Somma, Vesuvius, Italy; Mt. Briançon, Langeac, Auvergne, France; the Åheim Quarry, Møre og Romsdal, Norway; Taganana, Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Katukubura, near Kolonne, Sri Lanka.

In the U.S., the most significant and well-known deposit, which has produced excellent gem Peridot, is the San Carlos Indian Reservation, in Gila Co., Arizona. Two other important Peridot localities are Buell Park, Apache Co., Arizona; is the Kilbourne Hole, Doña Ana Co., New Mexico. The Day Book Quarry, in Burnsville, Yancey Co., North Carolina, has produced some good Olivine specimens. In Canada, large Olivine crystals come from the Parker mine, Notre-Dame-du-Laus, Québec.

Common Mineral Associations

Distinguishing Similar Minerals

Photos

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Crystal forms

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Tabular
Prismatic