metamorphic
Blue Schist / Lydian Stone / Chert with Glaucophane
Metamorphic rock containing quartz and glaucophane
Hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from greyish-white to distinctive blue veins, dull to vitreous luster, cryptocrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from greyish-white to distinctive blue veins, dull to vitreous luster, cryptocrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through regional metamorphism of clay-rich sediments or basaltic rocks under high-pressure and relatively low-temperature conditions, typically in subduction zones.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a geological specimen for collectors, decorative landscaping stones, and sometimes polished into ornamental cabochons.
Geological facts
Blue coloration in such stones often indicates the presence of sodium-rich amphibole minerals like glaucophane, which form deep within the Earth's crust under immense tectonic pressure.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its distinct blue swirled banding or veining against a lighter matrix, hardness that scratches glass, and smooth water-worn texture if found in riverbeds or beaches.
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