olivine

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olivine

olivine , an iron-magnesium silicate mineral, (Mg,Fe) ₂ SiO ₄ , crystallizing in the orthorhombic system. It is a common constituent of magnesium-rich, silica-poor igneous rocks; metamorphism of some high magnesium sediments also can form olivine. Dunite consists almost entirely of olivine. It also occurs in lunar rocks and meteorites. Olivine has a characteristic yellow-green to olive-green color, hence the name. Transparent olivine of good color can be cut into gemstones; the gem form is known as peridot. Sources of gem-quality olivine are St. John's Island in the Red Sea, Myanmar, and Arizona. Magnesium-rich olivine has a high melting point and is used in the manufacture of refractories. It was formerly called chrysolite.

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olivine

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Â© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

olivine Ferromagnesian mineral, (MgFe)₂ SiO₄, found in basic and ultrabasic igneous rocks. Olivine has orthorhombic system crystals and is usually olive-green. It is glassy and brittle with no cleavage. Hardness 6.5–7; r.d. 3.3.

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	Olivine Magazine article from: Mining Engineering; 6/1/2001; ; 647 words ; D.A. KRAMER, US Geological Survey Olivine [(Mg,Fe)^sub 2^SiO^sub 4...significant effect on the crystal structure. Olivine occurs in deposits in volcanic rocks...found on Mars. The gemstone variety of olivine is green-yellow in color. It is known...
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