Show UniqueIdentification

Id 40
Identification Type Mineral
Name Olivine
Distinguishing Features Conchoidal-fracture
Moderately-high-relief
Anhedral
Description Transparent colorless to pale gray-green. Nonpleochroic. Vivid birefringence colors. Frequently occurs as subangular anhedral grains. Conchoidal fracture. Moderately high relief. Associated with calcic plagioclase and pyroxene.
Tags silicate
ferromagnesian
transparent
colorless
gray
External Resources Olivine on MinDat
Imposters Serpentine minerals
Olivine can be altered to Serpentine Minerals
Images
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Lake of the Woods
Light type: Plane-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400.0
Submitted by: Amy Myrbo
Notes: Olivine
Image Tags: none
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Lake of the Woods
Light type: Cross-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400.0
Submitted by: Amy Myrbo
Notes: Olivine
Image Tags: none
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Ozera Karakul
Light type: Plane-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400
Submitted by: Val Stanley
Notes: none
Image Tags: green
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Ozera Karakul
Light type: Cross-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400
Submitted by: Val Stanley
Notes: conchoidal fracture, green, high relief
Image Tags: conchoidal-fracture
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Lake of the Woods
Light type: Plane-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400.0
Submitted by: Amy Myrbo
Notes: Olivine
Image Tags: none
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Lake of the Woods
Light type: Cross-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400.0
Submitted by: Amy Myrbo
Notes: Olivine
Image Tags: none
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Bay Horse Lake, ID
Light type: Plane-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400.0
Submitted by: Mark Shapley
Notes: Olivine phenocryst from a basaltic tephra originating in the Snake River Plain, Idaho. Moderate but vivid birefringence is characteristic.
Image Tags: mafic-mineral high-relief high-birefringence conchoidal-fracture
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Bay Horse Lake, ID
Light type: Cross-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400.0
Submitted by: Mark Shapley
Notes: Olivine phenocryst from a basaltic tephra originating in the Snake River Plain, Idaho. Note high relief and conchoidal fracture. Minimum aeolian transport of 125 km is implied for this sand-sized, high-density grain.
Image Tags: mafic-mineral high-relief high-birefringence conchoidal-fracture
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Lake of the Woods
Light type: Plane-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400.0
Submitted by: Val Stanley
Notes: none
Image Tags: conchoidal-fracture green
Unique Identification: Olivine
Site name: Lake of the Woods
Light type: Plane-Polarized Light
Magnification: 400.0
Submitted by: Val Stanley
Notes: none
Image Tags: conchoidal-fracture green

Contact Information

CSD Facility

116 Church Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

P: 612-626-7889

Connect on Social Media