OLIVINE
Specimen oln-1

Dims: 1.9 x 1.4 x 1.0" (4.7 x 3.5 x 2.6 cm)

Wt: 1.5 oz. (43 g)

Bolton, Worchester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Several chunks of massive Olivine are embedded in the igneous matrix of this hand specimen. These small pieces show no crystal form. All have an olive-green/brown coloration and a pearly luster, and may be translucent.

Dims: 0.5 x 0.4 x 0.3" (1.3 x 0.9 x 0.7 cm)

Wt: 2 g w/ box bottom

Novella Quarry, Vesuvius, Italy

This small thumbnail specimen consists of a cluster of intergrown Olivine and spinel crystals. The Olivine is of the magnesium-rich variety known as Forsterite, and I suppose could be referred to as Peridot. These crystals are heavily intergrown with each other and with some stray biotite, and so have badly warped forms that are difficult to discern. The Olivine has the standard olive-green coloration and vitreous luster of its specie, and shows some transparence. The spinel is much more difficult to discern among the black biotite. There is no host rock present, and the piece is affixed inside a small plastic box.