Chrysolite is an historical term commonly used for the gem-quality olive-green variety of the olivine series, now most often referred to as Peridot. It typically occurs as transparent, vibrant green crystals in volcanic rocks or as rounded grains in peridotite nodules brought up by mantle plumes.
Is this chrysolite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch chrysolite with a known reference. Chrysolite sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chrysolite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chrysolite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow-green, olive-green, emerald-green, brownish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: short, prismatic crystals, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Chrysolite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside chrysolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chrysolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 3.27-3.48 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Short, Prismatic Crystals, Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor in Two Directions
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Gemstone, Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Basaltic Volcanic Rocks, Ultramafic Igneous Rocks Like Peridotite, And Serpentinite
- Typical price
- $10-50 for small specimens, $100+ for gem-quality crystals
Where rockhounds find chrysolite
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Arizona, USA
- Zabargad Island, Egypt
- Myanmar
- Pakistan
- Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in basaltic volcanic rocks, ultramafic igneous rocks like peridotite, and serpentinite country — that is the host setting where chrysolite typically forms. If you start seeing augite, magnetite, plagioclase in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short, prismatic crystals, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in North Carolina, Virginia — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify chrysolite?+
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How much is chrysolite worth?+
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Find chrysolite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
