Jasper Vs. Peridot
Jasper is a very popular gemstone composed of silicon dioxide.[1] Peridot is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is magnesium iron silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Jasper and Peridot
For a quick recap of the differences jasper and peridot:- Jasper is opaque while peridot is transparent.
- In terms of crystallography, jasper is hexagonal while peridot is orthorhombic.
- For chemical formulas, jasper is SiO2 while peridot can be (Mg or Fe)2SiO4.
- While both jasper and peridot can be vitreous, in terms of luster, jasper can be dull or waxy.
- Jasper streaks white while peridot streaks colorless.
- Jasper can be commonly red while peridot can be commonly brown, green or yellow.
- Jasper's rarity is less rare than peridot.
- Jasper's specific gravity is lower than peridot - jasper ranges from 2.55 to 2.91 and peridot ranges from 3.2 to 4.39.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Jasper and Peridot
The similarities of jasper and peridot include:- Jasper's hardness is similar to peridot - they both range from 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's scale.
Summary of Jasper
Jasper is a type of mineral that is commonly found in sedimentary rocks, and is usually formed through the deposition of silica-rich sediments. It is a beautiful and unique mineral that comes in a variety of colors, including red, brown, yellow, green, and blue. Jasper is often used in jewelry making, as well as for decorative purposes in home decor and landscaping.Summary of Peridot
Peridot is a beautiful green mineral that has been used for centuries in jewelry making. It is a type of olivine mineral and is found in volcanic rocks and meteorites. Peridot is known for its vibrant green color, which is caused by the presence of iron. The mineral can range in color from yellow-green to olive green, and can be transparent or translucent.Table Comparison of Jasper vs Peridot
Jasper (src) | Peridot (src) | |
---|---|---|
Transparency | opaque | transparent |
Chemical Formula | SiO2 | (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 |
Chemical Composition | silicon dioxide | magnesium iron silicate |
Specific Gravity | 2.55, 2.91 | 3.2, 4.39 |
Hardness | 6.5, 7 | 6.5, 7 |
Streak | white | colorless |
Crystallography | hexagonal | orthorhombic |
Refractive Index | 1.54, 1.553 | 1.635, 1.879 |
Hydrous | No | No |
Colors | common: red sometimes: yellow less common: blue, gray, black, brown, green, white, orange, band, multicolor |
common: green, yellow, brown sometimes: olive less common: pale, amber, lemon |
Category | chalcedony | silicate |
Birefringence | δ = 0.009 | δ = +0.036 |
Fracture | conchoidal | conchoidal |