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Olivine

OL-ih-veen
Silicate Minerals

A magnesium iron silicate and the primary component of Earth's upper mantle, common in the subsurface but quick to weather at the surface. Its clear green gem variety is peridot, and it also serves industrial uses such as metalworking processes. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Kind
Mineral 1
Formation Class
Nesosilicate, crystallizing early and at high temperature from mafic and ultramafic magma; the dominant mineral of the Earth's upper mantle. 1
Chemical Formula
(Mg,Fe)2SiO4 1
Hardness (Mohs)
6.5 1
Commonly cited range is 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale; 6.5 is used here.
Classification
Crystal System
Orthorhombic 1
Classification
Silicate Mineral 1
Use
Industrial and Abrasive 1
Connections

Associated With

Dunite, Materials

Dunite is composed of at least 90 percent olivine by definition, the most olivine-rich common rock.

Komatiite, Materials

Komatiite is defined by its high magnesium content, expressed as abundant olivine, often in spinifex texture.

Peridotite, Materials

Olivine is the defining, essential mineral of peridotite.

Source Peridotite (Wikipedia)

Classified As

Silicate Minerals, Subcategories

Crystallizes In System

Orthorhombic Crystal System, Concepts

In Discipline

Mineralogy, Disciplines
Source Olivine (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Olivine (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Lead section
    The primary component of the Earth's upper mantle, it is a common mineral in Earth's subsurface, but weathers quickly on the surface.
  • Infobox: mohs
    6.5-7.0
  • Lead section
    The mineral olivine () is a magnesium iron silicate with the chemical formula (Mg,Fe)2SiO4.
  • Olivine (Wikipedia), body text
    Minerals in the olivine group crystallize in the orthorhombic system
  • Olivine (Wikipedia), Applications section
    The aluminium foundry industry uses olivine sand to cast objects
View the Source
Wikidata: Olivine
Wikidata Q22693
Peridotite (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Peridotite, Lead section
Quote, Associated With: Peridotite, Lead section
Olivine is the essential mineral found in all peridotites.
View the Source
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