Table of Contents
What is the texture of peridot?
Jewelers and birth-stone aficionados are familiar with the gem-quality olivine known as peridot. An olivine crystal is normally a roundish lump 2 mm or less across. A mass of pure olivine crystals thus forms a distinctive granular texture.
What is the color of peridot?
Gemologically speaking, peridot is the gem variety of the mineral olivine. The intensity and tint of the unique green color depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, so the shade of individual peridots can vary from yellowish green to greenish yellow to brownish green.
What is peridot density?
Peridot is fairly dense with a specific gravity (weight of the crystal compared to the weight of an equal volume of water) ranging from about 3.27 to 3.37.
What is the mineral class of peridot?
Olivine
Peridot/Mineral class
Is peridot translucent?
Peridot is one of only two gems observed to be formed not in the Earth’s crust, but in molten rock of the upper mantle….
| Peridot | |
|---|---|
| Luster | Vitreous to oily |
| Streak | Colorless |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent to transparent |
| Specific gravity | 3.2–4.3 |
Is peridot a soft stone?
Peridot is a relatively soft stone, rating a 6.5 to 7 on the hardness scale, making it a little softer than amethyst or emerald. Some peridot is found in volcanic bombs, while some are found embedded in meteorites. These stones are not usually of gem quality but a few have been faceted and mounted in jewelry settings.
Can peridot be opaque?
Just to name a few of the green semiprecious varieties: dioptase, atacamite, variscite, olivine and peridot stones are transparent to translucent. Malachite, on the other hand, will be translucent to opaque. Tourmaline can be transparent, translucent or opaque. Olivine and peridot range from green to yellow green.
What is peridots streak?
Colorless
| Peridot | |
|---|---|
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Mohs scale hardness | 6.5–7 |
| Luster | Vitreous to oily |
| Streak | Colorless |
Is Peridot translucent?
Is Peridot igneous sedimentary or metamorphic?
Peridot crystals form in magma from the upper mantle and are brought to the surface by tectonic or volcanic activity where they are found in extrusive igneous rocks.
Is peridot igneous sedimentary or metamorphic?
What is peridot mineral used for?
Peridot is used as a gemstone. Mg-rich olivine is used in refractory sand and brick in the casting industry because of its high melting point. Peridot earrings and other peridot jewelry items are the traditional birthstone gifts for birthdays in the month of August.