OLIVINE
Specimen oln-2
$ 25.00Dims: 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.