metamorphic
Greenstone / Serpentinite Pebble
Serpentinite / Greenschist facies rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 3-5 Mohs; dull to waxy luster; mottled olive-green to dark green; dense, fine-grained to microcrystalline with a smooth, water-worn surface.
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Physical properties
Hardness 3-5 Mohs; dull to waxy luster; mottled olive-green to dark green; dense, fine-grained to microcrystalline with a smooth, water-worn surface.
Formation & geological history
Formed via hydrothermal alteration and low-grade metamorphism of ultramafic igneous rocks (such as peridotite) in subduction zones or oceanic crust.
Uses & applications
Used historically for carving tools and ornamental stone; commonly collected as river pebbles or lapidary rough.
Geological facts
Greenstones were among the earliest materials used by prehistoric humans for polished stone axes due to their toughness and fine grain.
Field identification & locations
Identifiable by its smooth water-worn texture, dark green hue, relatively soft surface (scratched by steel), and lack of visible coarse crystals; found in riverbeds and coastal gravels near ophiolite belts.
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