Definition
olivine
noun
- a hard, typically greenish mineral composed of magnesium and iron silicates, found in igneous rocks and used in refractories and gemstones
Usage: geology; mineralogy
Examples
- Olivine is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's mantle.
- The geologist identified olivine crystals in the basalt sample.
- Peridot, the gemstone variety of olivine, is prized for its transparent green color.
- Olivine is used in the production of refractory bricks for high-temperature furnaces.
- The lunar rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts contained significant amounts of olivine.