Olivine group

The members of the olivine group crystallizes in orthorhombic system. The structure consists of
independent SiO4 tetrahedra in the (Mg,Fe) olivines there is complete solid solution between
Mg2SiO4 (forsterite) and Fe2 SiO4 (Fayalite). Similarly the (Fe,Mn) olivines form a continuous series.
The Camg SiO4 (orthosiliicate, monticellite) does not show any variation. The iron-analogus CaFe SiO4
(Kirschesteinite) is known from slags, the most iron rich naturally occurring members of the CaMg
SiO4 - CaFe SiO4 series contain some 69% of the CaFe SiO4 component.

Structure:
These are neso-silicates with Si:O ratio as 1:4. The structure consists of individual Si-O
tetrahedral linked by (Mg, Fe) atoms each of which has six nearest oxygen neighbours.
The oxygens lie in sheets parallel to (100) plane and are arranged in hexagonal array.
SiO4 tetrahedron passes towards x-axis and y-axis.
Cations are bridging elements half towards x-axis and reflection plane, half towards y-axis
and centre of symmetry.
Each oxygen is bonded to one silicon and three octahedrally coordinated atoms.

Classification

Forsterite Mg2SiO4 18900 C 100-90% 0-10%

Crystolite 90-70% 10-30%

Hyalosiderite 70-50% 30-50%

Hortonolite 50-30% 50-70%

Ferro-Hortonolite 30-10% 70-90%

Fayalite Fe2 SiO4 12050C 10-0% 90-100%

Other minerals
Tephreite Mn2SiO4

Knebellite (Mn,Fe)2SiO4

Larsenite PbZnSiO4

Monticellite CaMgSiO4

Glucochrite CaMnSiO4

Kirschsteinite CaFeSiO4
Physical Properties
Crystal system orthorhombic

Colour Olive green

Streak Colourless

Lustre Vitreous

Hardness 6.5-7

Sp.Gravity 3.22-4.29

Fracture Concoidal

Cleavage Poor or Absent

Twinning Rare

Optical Properties
Colour Colourless

Pleochroism Non-pleochroic

Relief High

Bi-refringence Strong

Extinction Straight,2v-820-1340

Chemistry
1) The melting point of forsterite (Mg2 SiO4) is 18900C and Fayalite (Fe2 SiO4) is 12500 C.
2) The ionic radius of Mg is 0.66A0 and Fe has 0.74 A0, melting point of forsterite is high
because forsterite contains good Mg as Mg contains less ionic radius.
3) Olivine is very susceptible to hydrothermal alteration, to the effects of weathering and to
low- grade metamorphism.
4) The products are serpentine, iddingsite, bowlingite and chlorophaeite.
5) Iddingsite is a reddish brown substance which consists of smectite, chlorite and
goetite/hematite.
6) Bowlingite is a green type of alteration product consists of smecite-chlorite together with
serpentine and minor amounts of talc, mica and quartz.
7) The relationship between iddingsite and bowlingite is essentially dependent on the
oxidation state of iron.
8) Chlorophaeite consists of chlorite, smectite, goethite and calcite.
9) Serpentization is the most widespread form of olivine alteration and the most common
process of metamorphism in olivne-rich rocks (dunite and peridotite). The major alteration
 products, particularly of Mg-rich olivine, are three serpentine polymorphs lizarclite,
chrysalitye and antigerite, together with brucite, talc and carbontes.

3Mg2 SiO4 + 4H2O + SiO4 = 2Mg3Si2O5(OH)4

Forsterite Serpentine)

2Mg3Si2O5 (OH)4 + 3 CO2 Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 + 3MgCO3 + 3H2O

Serpentine Talc Magnesite

Interrelationship betwixt physical and optical properties:

The refractive indices vary linearly with composition both and indices are increasing by
about 0.002 per mol% Fe2 SiO4.
The optic axial angle (2v) is 820 for Mg SiO4 and 1340 for Fe2 SiO4
The cleavage is well-developed as (010) and (100).
The special character of the olivine is the presence of amazing cracks.

Paragenesis:

Olivine occurs in basic igneous rocks as dunites, peridoties, basalts, dolerite and gabbros etc,
Olivine occurs in volcanic rocks both as phenocrysts and as a groundmass constituent.
Iron rich olivines occur in both alkaline and acid plutonic and hypabyssal rocks usually
associated with arfvedsonite-fayalite-hedenbergite granties and in small amounts in many
acid and alkaline volcanic rocks.
Ex: obsidians, Rhyolites, Trachytes and Phonolites.
Olivine of metamorphic origin occur principally in rocks of ultramafic composition in impure
carbonates and in Fe-rich sediments.