metamorphic

Blue-gray foliated metamorphic rock, likely slate or phyllite

Slate (fine-grained metamorphosed shale), possibly phyllite; mineral proportions cannot be confirmed from the image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Blue-gray, fine-grained, with planar foliation and splitting surfaces; likely composed mainly of quartz, mica, and/or chlorite. Slate is typically Mohs 2.5–4, dull to silky, and lacks visible crystals; phyllite often has a subtle sheen.

Identified September 24, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Blue-gray foliated metamorphic rock, likely slate or phyllite
Scientific name: Slate (fine-grained metamorphosed shale), possibly phyllite; mineral proportions cannot be confirmed from the image
Category: metamorphic
Identified: September 24, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $1–$10 for a small common hand specimen; more if provenance or unusual features are documented.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when shale or mudstone was compressed and metamorphosed at low grade during burial or mountain building. Its age depends on the source deposit and metamorphic event, neither identifiable from the image.

Uses & applications

Slate is used for roofing, flooring, paving, and writing boards; phyllite is used as decorative stone and aggregate. This small fragment is mainly of educational or collecting interest.

Geological facts

The visible layered texture suggests foliation, but a photograph cannot reliably distinguish slate from phyllite or other fine-grained foliated rocks.

Field identification & locations

Look for thin, planar layers and breakage along them; a silky sheen and slightly wavy foliation favor phyllite, while a dull surface favors slate. These rocks occur in metamorphic belts worldwide.