olivine

File:Olivine-gem7-10a.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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olivine

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Also known as (Mg,Fe)2SiO4, olivine structure, olivinical, olivinic, magnesium iron silicate, olivines, olivine series

The mineral olivine () is a magnesium iron silicate with the chemical formula . It is a type of nesosilicate or orthosilicate. The primary component of the Earth's upper mantle, it is a common mineral in Earth's subsurface, but weathers quickly on the surface. Olivine has many uses, such as the gemstone peridot (or chrysolite), as well as industrial applications like metalworking processes.

AI overview

Olivine is a magnesium iron silicate mineral that makes up most of Earth's upper mantle and is common deep underground, though it breaks down quickly when exposed to the surface. It has practical value as both a gemstone called peridot and as an industrial material used in metalworking.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Mineral.name: Olivine
Mineral.category: NesosilicateOlivine groupOlivine series
Mineral.boxbgcolor: 95bf5d
Mineral.image: Olivine-gem7-10a.jpg
Mineral.IMAsymbol: Ol
Mineral.strunz: 9.AC.05
Mineral.color: Yellow to yellow-green
Mineral.habit: Massive to granular
Mineral.system: Orthorhombic
Mineral.symmetry: Pbnm (no. 62)
Mineral.cleavage: Poor
Mineral.fracture: Conchoidal
Mineral.tenacity: brittle
Mineral.mohs: 6.5–7.0
Mineral.luster: Vitreous
Mineral.refractive: nα = 1.630–1.650nβ = 1.650–1.670nγ = 1.670–1.690
Mineral.opticalprop: Biaxial (+)
Mineral.birefringence: δ = 0.040

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image: Peridot2.jpg

Show 2 more facts

Commons category: Olivine
IMA Mineral Symbol: Ol

Sources (4)

via Wikidata · CC0

~12 min read

Article

12 sections

Contents

Identification and paragenesis
Extraterrestrial occurrences
Crystal structure
High-pressure polymorphs
Weathering
Mining
Norway
Applications
Experimental uses
See also
References
External links

The mineral olivine () is a magnesium iron silicate with the chemical formula . It is a type of nesosilicate or orthosilicate. The primary component of the Earth's upper mantle, it is a common mineral in Earth's subsurface, but weathers quickly on the surface. Olivine has many uses, such as the gemstone peridot (or chrysolite), as well as industrial applications like metalworking processes.

thumb|Olivine in cross-polarized light

Gallery (21)

Categories

Harv and Sfn no-target errors Industrial minerals Iron(II) minerals Magnesium minerals Minerals in space group 62 Nesosilicates Orthorhombic minerals