Crystopedia
IMA mineral species

Forsterite

Mg₂SiO₄

Magnesium end-member of olivine, nesosilicate mineral.

YellowGreenWhite & Clear

Forsterite specimen
Forsterite on Sanidine - Ochtendung, Eifel, Germany.jpg · Wikimedia Commons (see file page for author & license)

Properties

⛏ Mohs hardness7
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💅🪙🍶🔪💎

Harder than quartz: scratches glass and steel.

⚖ Density3.236 g/cm³
Heavy
🔷 Orthorhombic✏️ streak white
Chemical formulaMg₂SiO₄
ElementsMg, Si, O
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Mohs hardness7
Density3.236 g/cm³
Streakwhite
Color—
IMA symbolFo
Nickel–Strunz class9.AC.05

“—” means no reliable value in Wikidata yet. Check Mindat for full data.

🌍 Where it's found

Type locality (where it was first described): Mount Somma, Italy

  • Type locality
  • Notable source / deposit
  • Country of origin

Marker positions are approximate (region or locality level). Type localities from Wikidata; notable sources curated by Crystopedia.

Varieties & related stones

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