metamorphic
Polished green banded stone, likely serpentine or altered greenstone
Probable serpentinite/greenstone; commonly dominated by serpentine-group minerals, chlorite, epidote, or actinolite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectFine-grained, rounded and polished, with muted green-gray parallel banding and a dull to satin luster. Typical hardness is about Mohs 2.5–5.5, depending on mineral mixture; no visible crystals or cleavage are evident.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Polished green banded stone, likely serpentine or altered greenstone in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Fine-grained, rounded and polished, with muted green-gray parallel banding and a dull to satin luster. Typical hardness is about Mohs 2.5–5.5, depending on mineral mixture; no visible crystals or cleavage are evident.
Formation & geological history
Likely formed by hydrothermal alteration or metamorphism of ultramafic or mafic rock, producing aligned mineral bands; exact age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative stone, worry stone, carving material, and inexpensive lapidary specimen; some varieties are used for ornaments and architectural accents.
Geological facts
The banding may reflect foliation or compositional layering rather than sedimentary bedding. Serpentine can resemble jade, but true jade is substantially harder and tougher.
Field identification & locations
Look for green color, fibrous or waxy texture, low-to-moderate hardness, and a relatively soft scratch response; a steel knife test and specific-gravity or laboratory analysis would help distinguish serpentine from jade and other greenstones. Common sources include California, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, and Zimbabwe.
More like this
