Comparison · Minerals
Andradite vs Olivine
Andradite and Olivine are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Andradite and Olivine
- Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- They overlap in green, yellow, and brown, but Andradite also comes in black.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Andradite is Cubic, Olivine is Orthorhombic.
Andradite vs Olivine properties
| Property | Andradite | Olivine |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5–7 | 6.5–7 |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous/adamantine | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.8–3.9 | 3.3–4.3 |
| Crystal system | Cubic | Orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Yellow-green (demantoid), Brown, Black (melanite), Yellow | Olive green, Yellowish green, Brown |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Andradite and Olivine trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Andradite
Andradite is a calcium-iron garnet, Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3, one of six species making up the isomorphous garnet group. It occurs in shades of yellow-green, brown, and black depending on trace elements, and includes the gem varieties demantoid, colored green by chromium, and topazolite, a golden-yellow form. Its isometric habit and high refractive index give faceted stones exceptional fire, occasionally surpassing that of diamond.
About Olivine
Olivine is a magnesium iron silicate, (Mg,Fe)2SiO4, forming a solid-solution series between the magnesium-rich end member forsterite and the iron-rich end member fayalite. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's upper mantle. Its gem-quality green variety, peridot, is one of the few gemstones formed deep within the mantle rather than the crust.
Andradite vs Olivine FAQ
Is Andradite the same as Olivine?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Andradite from Olivine?
Both sit near Mohs 6.5–7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. They overlap in green, yellow, and brown, but Andradite also comes in black. Well-formed crystals give it away: Andradite is Cubic, Olivine is Orthorhombic.
Which is harder, Andradite or Olivine?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 6.5–7.
Which is more valuable, Andradite or Olivine?
Typical specimens of Andradite and Olivine trade in a similar range, around $20.
