metamorphic
Polished yellow-brown stone, likely serpentine or jasper
Serpentine-group mineral aggregate, commonly antigorite/lizardite; possibly iron-rich jasper
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectSmooth, polished, opaque olive-yellow to brown with mottling and a waxy-to-glassy luster. If serpentine, hardness is about 2.5–4 Mohs, usually massive rather than visibly crystalline; jasper would be harder, about 6.5–7.
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Physical properties
Smooth, polished, opaque olive-yellow to brown with mottling and a waxy-to-glassy luster. If serpentine, hardness is about 2.5–4 Mohs, usually massive rather than visibly crystalline; jasper would be harder, about 6.5–7.
Formation & geological history
Serpentine forms when ultramafic mantle rocks are hydrothermally altered, commonly during oceanic or mountain-building processes; jasper forms from silica-rich sediment or volcanic fluids. An exact age and identification cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Typically sold as a tumbled or decorative stone, paperweight, or cabochon; serpentine is also used for carvings and ornamental stone, while jasper is used in jewelry and lapidary work.
Geological facts
The glossy surface is a polish, not natural crystal luster. Serpentine may show fibrous texture and feel relatively soft; jasper commonly produces a white streak and resists scratching.
Field identification & locations
Commonly found in serpentinite belts worldwide, especially Italy, California, Canada, and New Zealand; jasper is widespread. Test an inconspicuous area: a steel knife may scratch serpentine but should not scratch jasper; definitive identification requires hardness, streak, and possibly thin-section or chemical testing.
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