Forsterite

Forsterite

General
Category	Mineral
Chemical formula	Magnesium silicate (Mg₂SiO₄)
Identification
Colour	Green to yellow
Crystal system	Orthorhombic
Cleavage	{010}, {100} - imperfect
Fracture	Conchoidal
Mohs Scale hardness	7
Luster	Vitreous
Refractive index	α = 1.635, β = 1.651, γ = 1.670
Specific gravity	3.222

Forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) is the magnesium rich end-member of the olivine solid-solution series. Forsterite crystalises in the orthorhombic system (space group Pbnm) with cell paramiters a 4.75 Å, b 10.20 Å and c Å 5.98.

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References

Deer, W. A., Howie, R. A., and Zussman, J. (1992). An introduction to the rock-forming minerals (2nd ed.). Harlow: Longman ISBN 0-582-30094-0

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