metamorphic
Pale greenish stone, likely serpentine or altered ultramafic rock
Serpentinite (主要 minerals: antigorite/lizardite, Mg3Si2O5(OH)4); identification is tentative from the image
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness about 2.5–4 Mohs; pale yellow-green, waxy to dull luster, fine-grained and massive, with no visible cleavage or crystal faces. The rounded, weathered fragment may also be a soft greenstone or altered volcanic rock.
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Physical properties
Hardness about 2.5–4 Mohs; pale yellow-green, waxy to dull luster, fine-grained and massive, with no visible cleavage or crystal faces. The rounded, weathered fragment may also be a soft greenstone or altered volcanic rock.
Formation & geological history
Serpentinite forms when olivine- and pyroxene-rich mantle rocks hydrate during tectonic processes, commonly in ophiolites and subduction zones. Alteration may range from Paleozoic to modern geological settings depending on locality.
Uses & applications
Attractive serpentinite is used for carvings, beads, ornamental stone, and limited architectural applications; ordinary fragments have little industrial or jewelry value.
Geological facts
Serpentinite commonly has mottled green, yellow-green, black, or brown coloration and may contain magnetite, producing dark specks or weak magnetism. Some varieties contain asbestos-form minerals, so avoid cutting or generating dust.
Field identification & locations
Field tests: it is unusually soft, often waxy, and may be scratched by a steel knife; streak is generally white to pale green. Common occurrences include California, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, and tectonic ophiolite belts worldwide.
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