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2023-09-29 22:35 altermaven  
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Olivine is a magnesium iron silicate. A type of neosilicate, it is considered a primary component of the earth's upper mantle. However, when exposed to the surface, it is known to quickly weather due to the presence of carbon dioxide. alongside peridot or chrysolite, it has had many historical uses. one of these is metalworking.  
  
in concerns to olivine, it has been detected largely on samples of meteorites, as well as samples derived on the  Moon , as well as recently on mars. it is also prevalent in 'stardust', which is the trail a comet leaves behind.  
  
despite being part of the upper mantle, olivine cannot handle high pressure nor high temperature.  
  
olivine, when weathered by water, becomes altered into iddingsite.  
  
the mohs hardness of olivine is between 6.5-7.