Properties of Olivine

Olivine is a common mineral found in the Earth’s mantle and in certain types of igneous rocks. It belongs to the nesosilicate group and has the chemical formula (Mg,Fe)2SiO4. Olivine is typically olive-green in color, but it can range from yellow-green to brownish-green.

Image of olivine mineral
Credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com - CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The following table provides a comprehensive list of olivine properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Note: click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Olivine Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Chemical Formula(Mg,Fe)2SiO4
Crystal SystemOrthorhombic
Mohs Hardness6.5 - 7
Density3220 - 4390 kg/m3
ColorYellowish green, olive green, greenish black, or reddish brown
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
LusterVitreous (glassy)
Cleavage(001) good, (010) distinct
FractureConchoidal, brittle
StreakWhite

Note: unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.