Forsterite is a member of the
OLIVINE family.
CHEMISTRY - Mg2SiO4
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY - Orthorhombic
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND HABITS - Crystals are prismatic, often with striations parallel to the long axis, wedge shaped terminations; most commonly Fosterite forms granular masses.
COLOR AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES - Green, greenish yellow to grayish white; translucent to transparent.
HARDNESS - 7
SPECIFIC GRAVITY - 3.27
LUSTER - Vitreous
STREAK - White
BREAKABILITY - Cleavage is imperfect along {010} and {100}; conchoidal fracture; Brittle
OCCURRENCE - Forsterite is found in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks. It can also be found in some metamorphosed dolomitic limestones.
ASSOCIATED MINERALS -
MINERAL NAME -