Rare Peridot Crystal with Magnetite Supat Mine Pakistan Natural Olivine Mineral Specimen Green Peridot Crystal

Rare Peridot Crystal with Magnetite from the Supat Mine, Pakistan

This rare natural Peridot crystal specimen features vivid green Peridot associated with magnetite from the renowned Supat Mine in Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. The Supat Mine is internationally recognised among mineral collectors for producing high-quality Peridot crystals with exceptional colour and clarity. The presence of magnetite within the matrix creates a striking geological association that highlights the natural environment in which these minerals formed.

The crystal shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive. Each specimen is carefully selected for its mineralogical interest and visual character.

This crystal is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card confirming its authenticity. Full sizing please see photo.

Mineral Identification and Scientific Classification

Peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, a magnesium iron silicate that forms in high-temperature igneous environments.

Scientific classification:

Mineral: Olivine (Peridot variety)
Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄
Mineral group: Nesosilicates
Crystal system: Orthorhombic

Peridot is one of the few gemstones that typically occurs in a single colour range, displaying vibrant green tones that may vary from yellow-green to deep olive green depending on the iron content within the crystal structure.

Magnetite, the associated mineral in this specimen, is an iron oxide mineral with the chemical formula Fe₃O₄. It is part of the spinel group and is known for its strong magnetic properties and metallic black appearance.

The combination of Peridot and magnetite within a single specimen reflects the mineral-rich geological environment in which these crystals developed.

Geological Formation and Locality

This specimen originates from the Supat Mine located in the Kohistan region near Mansehra in northern Pakistan. The deposit lies within the Indus Suture Zone, a major geological boundary formed during the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The Supat area is well known for hosting ultramafic rocks that formed deep within the Earth’s mantle before being uplifted to the surface through tectonic activity. These rocks are rich in magnesium and iron, providing ideal conditions for the crystallisation of olivine.

Within these ultramafic rocks, Peridot crystals formed under high temperatures and pressures during the cooling of mantle-derived material. Magnetite commonly occurs alongside these minerals as an iron oxide phase formed during the crystallisation and alteration processes of the host rock.

Over geological time, tectonic uplift and erosion exposed these mineral-bearing rocks at the surface, allowing the Supat Mine to become one of the world’s important sources of natural Peridot crystals.

Crystal Structure and Physical Characteristics

Peridot crystals typically develop in short prismatic or granular forms within their host rock. The crystals often display a vitreous lustre and transparent to translucent clarity depending on internal inclusions and crystal growth conditions.

The characteristic green colour of Peridot results from iron incorporated within the olivine crystal structure. Unlike many gemstones where colour is produced by trace elements, the green colour in Peridot is an inherent property of the mineral itself.

Magnetite within the specimen appears as dark metallic grains or crystalline masses contrasting with the bright green Peridot. This natural mineral association enhances the visual interest of the specimen while also illustrating the mineralogical diversity of the deposit.

Magnetite is notable for its high iron content and magnetic properties, making it one of the most distinctive oxide minerals in geology.

Supat Mine and the Kohistan Mineral Belt

The Supat Mine lies within the Kohistan region, an area famous for producing high-quality Peridot crystals that are highly regarded in both the mineral collecting and gemstone communities. Geological studies indicate that the Peridot crystals from this area formed within mantle-derived ultramafic rocks that were later exposed through mountain-building processes associated with the formation of the Himalayas.

Specimens from this locality are valued for their rich colour and well-developed crystal forms. The mineral deposits of northern Pakistan have become internationally recognised for producing a wide variety of collectible crystals including aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline, and peridot.

Collectors often seek Supat Mine Peridot specimens due to the combination of vibrant colour, natural crystal form, and the geological significance of the region.

A Genuine Mineral Specimen for Collectors

This Peridot with magnetite specimen represents a natural example of mineral formation within ultramafic rocks of the Kohistan region. The contrast between the green Peridot and dark magnetite highlights the geological processes that created these minerals deep within the Earth’s mantle.

The specimen has been carefully chosen for its mineralogical character and natural appearance.

The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive. This crystal is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it a valuable addition to any mineral collection featuring olivine, Peridot crystals, or specimens from the famous Supat Mine of Pakistan.