Fayalite

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Fayalite

Description

A transparent green iron silicate mineral that occurs naturally as an iron-rich variety of Olivine. Fayalite was named after Fayal, an island in the Azores. The brittle green stone is also produced synthetically as a common component in slag stringers from ancient iron working furnaces.

FTIR (MFA)

Fayalite, Upper Bear Creek CO.PNG


Synonyms and Related Terms

olivine; faialite (Port.); Fayalit (Deut.); fayaliet (Ned.)

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Crystal system = orthorhombic
  • Color = green to pale yellow
  • Fracture = conchoidal to uneven.
  • Luster = vitreous.
  • Streak = colorless.
Composition Fe2SiO4
Mohs Hardness 6.5 - 7.0
Density 4.4 g/ml
Refractive Index 1.83; 1.87; 1.88

Resources and Citations

  • David C. Scott, Metallography and Microstructure of Ancient and Historic Metals, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1991
  • C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
  • Thomas Gregory, The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942