The most classic source of gem Peridot is St. Peridot is the birthstone for the month of August.įor additional information, see the gemstone section on Peridot. It is very popular in jewelry, and is used in many jewelry items including rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Peridot, the transparent olive-green to yellow-green variety, is a well-known gemstone. It is used as a flux for steel production, and is also an important ore of the metal magnesium. Fayalite is usually yellow-brown to brown. Pure Forsterite is colorless, but this is extremely rare. OLIVINE METEORITE SERIESThe series ranges from the magnesium end member, Forsterite (Magnesium silicate), through the intermediary member, Olivine (also known as Chrysolite), to the iron end member, Fayalite (Iron silicate).įorsterite and Olivine can be olive-green, light green, dark green, yellow-green, yellow-brown, and brown. There are other rarer members of the Olive group such as Tephroite. The mineral Tephroite (Mn 2SiO 4), which many consider a member of the Olivine group, forms a series with Forsterite. The intermediary variety, Olivine, is not scientifically recognized as a separate mineral, but is nevertheless well-established. The Olivine group is composed of the following primary members: Pure Forsterite is uncommon, and pure Fayalite is very rare. 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. 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. Olivine is also found in meteorites, and large grains have been reported in many of them. Only few localities yield large examples of this mineral, although small and microscopic grains are found worldwide. Despite this, good specimens and large crystals are uncommon and sought after. Olivine is one of the most common minerals in the earth, and is a major rock forming mineral.
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