The Wannenköpfe
Ochtendung, Eifel region, Germany

The Minerals

FORSTERITE

Olivine is a name for a serie between two end members; Fayalite and Forsterite. Fayalite is the iron rich member, Forsterite is the magnesium rich member. The Olivines have a very high melting point, thats why they are one of the first minerals to crystallize from the magma. It is said that Forsterite is a common mineral at the Wannenköpfe. I don't know, in any case not in my Wannenkopf collection. I have just a few specimens with Forsterites, except the red ones, which can be easily found in basalt, often together with small (rounded) Hematites, regular with Pseudobrookite, and sometimes with Amphibole. The colourless/orange Forsterites came out glassy specimens. Accompanying minerals: tiny rounded Hematites, tiny Pseudobrookites and small (broken) Sanidine(pieces). One of the characteristics is the high lustre.

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