All About the Properties and Locations of Chrysolite

CHRYSOLITE.

The chrysolite, peridot, and olivine differ in color, but are practically of the same composition.

The chrysolite proper is of a pale greenish-yellow color, the peridot a deep olive-green, and the olivine of a yellowish or light olive-green color; these stones also shade into brown. They crystallize on the rhombic system, are tranparent to translucent, 6.5 to 7. in the scale of hardness, and 3.3 to 3.5 in specific gravity.

The cleavage is distinct, fracture conchoidal, refraction double, and lustre vitreous, and in the olivines somewhat greasy.

These stones are easily affected by sulphuric acid, but are infusible before the blow-pipe, excepting some kinds containing much iron.

With borax, they melt to a pale-green transparent glass.

Chrysolites are composed of silica, magnesia, and oxide of iron.

Perfectly crystallized chrysolites are brought from Constantinople, but the exact locality where they are found is unknown.

Less distinct specimens occur at Vesuvius, Mexico, the isle of Bourbon, Auvergne, Egypt, Natolia, Brazil, Germany, Pegu, Ceylon, Switzerland, and North America.

Peridots are distinguished by being the only precious stones that have literally dropped from heaven, as they have been found in meteorites.

The Oriental chrysolite of commerce is true chrysoberyl, and is harder and heavier than chrysolite, and the stone called Ceylon chrysolite is a greenish-yellow tourmaline, which is easily distinguished, as it is also harder while considerably lighter than the chrysolite.