
metamorphic
Banded river pebble (likely greenstone)
Likely chlorite- and amphibole-rich greenstone; exact identification requires testing
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectSmooth, rounded, dark olive-green pebble with pale bands and a dull to slight sheen. Likely Mohs 5–6; fine-grained, with no visible crystals or cleavage.
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Physical properties
Smooth, rounded, dark olive-green pebble with pale bands and a dull to slight sheen. Likely Mohs 5–6; fine-grained, with no visible crystals or cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Probably a water-worn metamorphic rock, formed when mafic volcanic rock was altered by heat and fluids; its age and precise origin cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Primarily a keepsake or lapidary material; suitable for tumbling or simple carving if the bands continue through the stone.
Geological facts
Greenstone is a broad field term for altered, green-colored mafic rocks, commonly colored by chlorite, actinolite, or epidote.
Field identification & locations
The rounded shape suggests stream or beach transport. Check a fresh surface and hardness to distinguish greenstone from banded serpentinite or another dark, fine-grained pebble.
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