Olivine Gemstone Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Olivine Gemstone Facts and History
The Olivine Gemstone is not a stone but a mineral abundantly found in the Earth’s mantle. It is one of the most common minerals on Earth but is easily weathered when at the surface which makes gem-quality Olivine quite rare.
Olivine can appear in light greens, yellow-green, brown, or greenish-yellow colors, and typically has a glassy luster, is translucent, and transparent, making Olivine Gemstone a unique igneous rock.
The Olivine Gemstone is primarily composed of a magnesium-iron silicate structure and belongs to the nesosilicate or orthosilicate class of minerals. Differences in the quantity of its elemental structure cause the formation of Olivine varieties, like the more well-known peridot gemstone.
Olivine Gemstones have a 6.5 to 7 score on the Mohs hardness scale, making it harder than steel.
In the 18th century, the geologist AB Werner named the Olivine Gemstone after its bright green-olive color.
Olivine minerals form when magnesium-rich magma cools down. This abundant green mineral is also found in space. It was discovered on Mars, the moon, meteors, asteroids, and dust disks around young stars.
In 2011, a unique phenomenon was observed by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope of tiny Olivine crystals falling like rain through a dusty cloud of a developing star.
The beaches of Papakolea Beach in Hawaii and Hornindalsvatnet in Norway have unique green sands due to microscopic sandy Olivine crystals.
The Ancient Egyptians highly valued Olivine Gemstones in the form of peridot gems. It is theorized that Cleopatra’s favorite emerald gems were actually Olivine Gemstones.
The Ancient Egyptians mined Olivine Gemstones for centuries on the island of Zarbargad in the Red Sea. This island’s location was lost for a time but was rediscovered in the early 20th century and is now named St. John’s Island.
The ancient Roman naturalist, Pliny the Elder, mentioned peridot gemstones, the more known variety of Olivine Gemstones, in his writings as a cure for nightmares. He also mentioned Zarbargad Island, being jealously guarded by the Ancient Egyptians.
Currently, Olivine mines can be found in Myanmar, Pakistan, Germany, Norway, Sri Lanka, the USA, Canada, and France.
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Olivine Gemstone Uses
Olivine minerals are used in the manufacturing of steel. Microscopic Olivine crystals as an abrasive material is used to blast out impurities of steel. Olivine is also used in bricks as a refractory material.
Olivine Gemstones are jewelry in the form of peridot. Peridot gemstones make for eye-catching jewelry because of their bright yellow-green color. Due to their toughness and durability, they make ideal jewelry for earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets for everyday wear.
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Olivine Gemstone Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism
The Olivine Gemstone symbolizes abundance, reflecting its abundance in the earth. It is said to not only represent abundance in good fortune, success, wealth, and luck, but also in spirituality, love, health, and connection with others.
It is also connected with spring, given its bright green color. Olivine Gemstones are believed to represent new beginnings, nature’s abundance, and fertility.
The Olivine Gemstone is connected to the heart chakra and the solar plexus chakra, bringing emotional stability, healing, strength, and willpower.
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Olivine Gemstone Symbolism of Different Shapes and Forms
Peridot gemstones are the most popular variety of Olivine with an oily sheen, yellow-green, and translucent in appearance. Peridots represent healing, emotional stability, and abundance.
Forsterite is the magnesium-rich variety of Olivine Gemstones and appears in green, pale yellow, or colorless in color. Fosterites enhance the connection to the Solar Plexus and the Heart chakra.
Fayalites are the iron-rich variety of Olivine Gemstones. They can appear brown, yellow, or green. They symbolize clarity of thought and emotions and are believed to help with grounding.
Chrysolite gemstones are said to be a more yellow Olivine Gemstone. This gemstone symbolizes self-love, peace, and inner strength.
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Olivine Gemstone Symbolism in Different Cultures
The Ancient Egyptians placed great importance on Olivine Gemstones in the form of the peridot. Royal jewelry was often adorned with Olivine Gemstones. They believed that Olivine Gemstones came from the sun’s rays and could help them with nightmares.
The Ancient Egyptians associate Olivine Gemstone with Isis, the Goddess of motherhood and fertility. Today the peridot gemstone is Egypt’s national gem.
In Ancient Greece, the Olivine Gemstone is associated with the Olympian sun god, Apollo, believing it to be able to bring protection and healing.
In Ancient Rome, Olivine Gemstones were associated with Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. They believed that the gem could increase their charms and good fortune.
In the Hawaiian culture, Olivine Gemstones are associated with lava because the gem is often found in magma. They believed that the gem was the tears of the Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes.
Many Native American cultures believe that Olivine Gemstones help them connect in harmony with the earth and their ancestors, giving the yellow-green gemstone significant spiritual importance.
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Olivine Gemstone in Combination with other Gems
Pink Diamond gemstones are great stones to increase self-confidence, courage, and positivity. Pairing pink diamonds with Olivine Gemstones, it is believed that self-acceptance and courage will significantly increase.
Citrine gemstones are dubbed the “success stone” because they can attract abundance such as money and wealth. They also help with creativity, independence, and self-confidence. Paring Citrine with Olivine Gemstones can increase openness to new experiences and acceptance.
Amethyst gemstones are protection against negativity like stress. The combination of amethysts and Olivine Gemstones is great to use in meditations for both grounding and protection against negative energies.
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Olivine Gemstone Birthstone and Zodiac Sign
The Olivine Gemstone’s peridot variety is the traditional birthstone of August. This makes the gem connected with the zodiac signs Leo and Virgo and is believed to bring them all the benefits of the Olivine Gemstones as well as good luck and success.
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Olivine Gemstone in Dreams
The Olivine Gemstone is believed to dispel negativity in dreams and nightmares. It can also aid with lucid dreaming.
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Olivine Gemstone Omens and Superstitions
According to superstition, talismans of Olivine Gemstones, especially with the Olivine being set into gold, are highly effective in dispelling nightmares and night terrors.
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Olivine Gemstone Mythology and Folklore
Legend since ancient times says that the Olivine Gemstone came to the earth after an explosion from the sun.
According to some Ancient Egyptian myths, the ancient Zarzbargad island was infested with poisonous snakes that were only driven away by the Pharaoh of that time.
Once the mines were established, the miners were said to look for the glowing Olivine Gemstones at night, mark their location, and extract them the next day.
