forsterite
/ˈfɔːstərʌɪt
/noun [mass noun]
A magnesium-rich variety of olivine, occurring as white, yellow, or green crystals.Peridot, the green gem variety of forsterite, occurs on a fairly remote basalt-capped mesa near the southwest edge of South Park....
- These include aquamarine, chrome diopside, diamond, jade, labradorite, forsterite, opal, pyrope, variscite, and many unique agates and jaspers.
- Egypt is also the home of some of the best peridot, the gem variety of forsterite.
Origin
Early 19th century: from the name of J. R. Forster (1729–98), German naturalist, + -ite1.