Event Title
Fake Emerald: the History, Occurrence, and Uses of Olivine
Location
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Start Date
1-5-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 2:00 PM
Project Type
Poster- Restricted to Campus Access
Description
The name of olivine is derived from its green color. People have already started using olivine as a gemstone in ancient Egypt. Olivine is made of silicon tetrahedra linked by Magnesium and Iron atoms. The ratio of magnesium to iron in olivine can vary significantly. Two end members of olivine are the magnesium-rich forsterite and the iron-rich fayalite. Olivine forms in the upper mantle under high temperature and pressure; therefore, it is not stable and prone to weathering on the surface of Earth. It can be altered to limonite and serpentine. Olivine is usually found in mafic igneous rocks such as basalts. Dunite is a type of ultramafic plutonic rock that is almost purely olivine. It is also present in meteorites. Because of its beautiful green color, olivine is mostly used as gemstone. It is also used to purify metals.
Faculty Sponsor
Tasha Dunn
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Geology Dept.
CLAS Field of Study
Natural Sciences
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
151
Fake Emerald: the History, Occurrence, and Uses of Olivine
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
The name of olivine is derived from its green color. People have already started using olivine as a gemstone in ancient Egypt. Olivine is made of silicon tetrahedra linked by Magnesium and Iron atoms. The ratio of magnesium to iron in olivine can vary significantly. Two end members of olivine are the magnesium-rich forsterite and the iron-rich fayalite. Olivine forms in the upper mantle under high temperature and pressure; therefore, it is not stable and prone to weathering on the surface of Earth. It can be altered to limonite and serpentine. Olivine is usually found in mafic igneous rocks such as basalts. Dunite is a type of ultramafic plutonic rock that is almost purely olivine. It is also present in meteorites. Because of its beautiful green color, olivine is mostly used as gemstone. It is also used to purify metals.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/402