Olivine
Olivine (or chrysolite) is a silicate mineral made of magnesium iron silicate with the formula (Mg,Fe)
2SiO
4.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Olivine_%28peridot%29.jpg/220px-Olivine_%28peridot%29.jpg)
It ranges in colour from chartreuse green to pale olive. In its gem form, it is called peridot.
Dunite contains (or has) over 90%+ olivine in it. Dunite and other peridotite rocks are major constituents of the Earth's mantle above a depth of about 400 kilometers. Dunite is rarely found on land, except where slabs of mantle rock from a subduction zone have been thrust onto continental crust. Olivine has also been found at several extraterrestrial locations, such as the moon and many passing space rocks - as well as the outer layers of dust orbiting young stars.
Chrysolite should not be confused with chrysotile, which is a form of asbestos.
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Light green olivine crystals in peridotite xenoliths in basalt from Arizona
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Bright green olivine from Pakistan
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Olivine in lava from the Azores
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Olivine in cross-polarized light
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