Olivine is a magnesium iron silicate with the formula (Mg,Fe)2SiO4, a nesosilicate that forms a solid solution between forsterite, the magnesium end member, and fayalite, the iron end member. It is the primary component of the Earth's upper mantle and a common mineral in the Earth's subsurface, but it weathers quickly at the surface. Olivine is named for its typically olive-green color, crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, and occurs in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks such as basalt, gabbro and peridotite; dunite is more than 90 percent olivine. Gem-quality olivine is the gemstone peridot. Olivine has also been found in meteorites, on the Moon and Mars. Industrially, olivine sand is used to cast aluminium, and olivine is used in steel works as a substitute for dolomite.
Facts
Formation ClassNesosilicate, crystallizing early and at high temperature from mafic and ultramafic magma; the dominant mineral of the Earth's upper mantle. 1 Chemical Formula Hardness (Mohs)Commonly cited range is 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale; 6.5 is used here. Classification
Strunz Class Crystal System UseIndustrial and Abrasive 1 Connections
Associated With
Dunite is composed of at least 90 percent olivine by definition, the most olivine-rich common rock.
Komatiite is defined by its high magnesium content, expressed as abundant olivine, often in spinifex texture.
Olivine is the defining, essential mineral of peridotite.
Source Peridotite (Wikipedia)
Caused By
Source Olivine (Wikipedia)
Source Olivine (Wikipedia)
Source Olivine (Wikipedia)
Classified As
Crystallizes In System
In Discipline
Source Olivine (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Olivine (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead 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
Caused By: Metamorphism, Identification and paragenesis
The metamorphism of impure dolomite or other sedimentary rocks with high magnesium and low silica content also produces Mg-rich olivine, or forsterite.
Caused By: Fractional Crystallization, Identification and paragenesis
Dunite has an olivine content of over 90% and is likely a cumulate formed by olivine crystallizing and settling out of magma or a vein mineral lining magma conduits.
Caused By: Magmatism, Identification and paragenesis
Mg-rich olivine crystallizes from magma that is rich in magnesium and low in silica.
View the Source 2. minerals.net: Olivine
minerals.netColor field
Forsterite and Olivine can be olive-green, light green, dark green, yellow-green, yellow-brown, and brown. Rarely white, gray, or orange. Pure Forsterite is colorless, but this is extremely rare. Fayalite is usually yellow-brown to brown.
Luster field
Vitreous
Description
Olivine is one of the most common minerals in the earth
View the Source Wikidata: Olivine
Wikidata Q22693
Peridotite (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Peridotite, Lead sectionQuote, Associated With: Peridotite, Lead section
Olivine is the essential mineral found in all peridotites.
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