igneous
Green-speckled pebble, likely epidote-bearing basalt or altered granite
Probable epidote (Ca₂(Al,Fe)₃(SiO₄)₃(OH)) in a mafic or felsic host; exact identification requires testing
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectSmall water-worn, pale green and cream specimen with granular texture and subdued vitreous-to-dull luster. Epidote is Mohs 6–7, commonly pistachio-green, with monoclinic crystals and good cleavage; host-rock properties vary.
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Physical properties
Small water-worn, pale green and cream specimen with granular texture and subdued vitreous-to-dull luster. Epidote is Mohs 6–7, commonly pistachio-green, with monoclinic crystals and good cleavage; host-rock properties vary.
Formation & geological history
Likely glacially or wave-rounded material derived from metamorphosed or hydrothermally altered igneous rock. Its precise geological age and source cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Primarily a teaching or beach-collecting specimen; epidote crystals can be lapidary material, while epidote-bearing rock has little industrial value. Attractive pieces may be polished or used in mineral collections.
Geological facts
The distinctive pistachio-green color is characteristic of epidote, though similar coloring may come from prehnite, chlorite, serpentine, or greenstone. A photograph alone cannot establish mineral identity.
Field identification & locations
Look for green granular patches, moderate-to-high hardness, and a streak that is typically pale gray rather than green; a steel nail should not easily scratch epidote. Common sources include metamorphic belts and altered volcanic terrains worldwide.
