Olivine
| Colour | Green |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7.0 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Streak | colorless or white |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Poor |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Specific gravity | 3.2–4.5 |
What is Olivine?
The mineral olivine is a magnesium iron silicate with the chemical formula (Mg,Fe)2SiO4. It is a type of nesosilicate or orthosilicate. The primary component of the Earth's upper mantle, it is a common mineral in Earth's subsurface, but weathers quickly on the surface. Olivine has many uses, such as the gemstone peridot, as well as industrial applications like metalworking processes.
How to identify Olivine
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 6.5–7.0 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: colorless or white.
- Habit: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Olivine value
Based on 100 recent eBay sold listings, a raw / cluster Olivine typically sells for $6–$8 (about $0.03–$0.08 per gram for raw material). After eBay fees a seller nets roughly $5 on a median piece.
| Recently sold | Weight | Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.12LB Natural Olivine Rock Specimen Deposits On Lava Stone Peridot Black | 1415 g | $8 | 2026-06-21 |
| 59G Natural Olivine Rock Specimen Deposits On Lava Stone Peridot Black | 59 g | $7 | 2026-06-21 |
| 398G Natural Olivine Rock Specimen Deposits On Lava Stone Peridot Black | 398 g | $8 | 2026-06-19 |
| 208G Natural and rare beautiful museum grade olive green olivine crystal | 208 g | $6 | 2026-06-21 |
| 182G Natural Olivine Rock Specimen Deposits On Lava Stone Peridot Black | 182 g | $6 | 2026-06-21 |
| 182G Natural Olivine Rock Specimen Deposits On Lava Stone Peridot Black | 182 g | $6 | 2026-06-20 |
Typical recently-sold prices, 2026-06. Condition, size and quality vary widely, so this is an estimate, not an appraisal. See current sold listings on eBay ↗. Full value guide · how we work this out.
