Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Sappat, Kohistan, Pakistan
SIZE : 3.5 x 2.5 x 3.5 cm

This sample of forsterite is exceptional for its size: 3.5 x 2.5 x 3.5cm. This group show 3 well-formed and terminated crystals . They are of a beautiful green colour with a vitreous lustre and are partially gemmeous.

IThis sample comes from the mineral deposit of Sappat in Pakistan. Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is today kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Forsterite

HISTORY : Species dedicated to Adolarius Jacob Forster (1739-1806), English collector and businessman

Species first described in 1824 by Serve-Dieu Abailard (also called Armand) Lévy, French mineralogist (1795-1841)

Type-locality: Monte Somma, Naples, Italy

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Mg2 SiO4
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Orthorhombic
COLOR : Green, yellow, white, greenish, colourless
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Fine and striated crystals, often massive
HARDNESS : 7
DENSITY : 3,271

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Olivine - monticellite series
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/A.04-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.AC.05

Explore the Mineral Treasures of the Muséum

Welcome to
the Virtual Gallery of Mineralogy

Forsterite

Forsterite

MNHN N°202.304

general description

The Species page

Mineralogy