Olivine
Olivine is a magnesium iron silicate mineral that falls within the nesosilicate group, characterized by its isolated silica tetrahedra. Here are some key points about olivine:
- Chemical Composition: Olivine's chemical formula varies between (Mg,Fe)2SiO4, with forsterite (Mg2SiO4) being the magnesium-rich end-member and fayalite (Fe2SiO4) the iron-rich end-member.
- Color: Olivine typically ranges from olive green to yellowish-green, although it can appear almost colorless to dark brown.
- Crystal Structure: It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, often forming in granular or prismatic crystals.
- Occurrence: Olivine is a primary mineral in Mantle rocks, particularly in Peridotite and Dunite. It is also common in Basalt and Gabbro.
- Geological Significance: Olivine is significant in Geology due to its high melting point and its presence in mantle-derived rocks, which helps in understanding mantle composition and processes.
- Uses:
- Industrial: Olivine sand is used as a flux in blast furnaces, in foundry sands, and in the production of refractory materials.
- Environmental: It has been proposed for use in carbon sequestration because of its ability to react with CO2 to form stable carbonates.
- Gemological: High-quality olivine, especially in its gem form known as Peridot, is used in jewelry.
- History:
- The name "olivine" derives from the Latin word "oliva," meaning olive, due to its color.
- It was first described scientifically in 1790 by Abraham Gottlob Werner.
- Peridot, the gem-quality olivine, has been mined from Saint John's Island in the Red Sea since antiquity, with some of the earliest uses in Egypt around 1500 BCE.
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