metamorphic

Serpentine-rich rock (likely serpentinite)

Serpentinite; chiefly serpentine-group minerals (antigorite, lizardite, chrysotile), commonly with magnetite and brucite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically olive-green to brown, waxy to greasy luster, massive and fine-grained, with Mohs hardness about 2.5–4; specific gravity roughly 2.5–2.6. The specimen’s rounded, polished appearance and dark green mottling fit serpentine, though the image alone cannot confirm composition.

Identified September 10, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Serpentine-rich rock (likely serpentinite)
Scientific name: Serpentinite; chiefly serpentine-group minerals (antigorite, lizardite, chrysotile), commonly with magnetite and brucite
Category: metamorphic
Identified: September 10, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 for a common tumbled specimen; $30–$150 for attractive polished or carved pieces.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when ultramafic mantle rocks such as peridotite hydrate during low-temperature metamorphism, often along oceanic crust, subduction zones, and faults. Formation ages vary widely, from ancient Precambrian bodies to modern tectonic settings.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative dimension stone, carvings, tiles, and occasionally jewelry; historically used as “serpentine marble.” Fibrous chrysotile-bearing material may contain asbestos and should not be cut, drilled, or powdered without testing and controls.

Geological facts

Serpentinite commonly contains magnetite, giving some pieces a weak magnetic response, and may weather to distinctive green soils. It is California’s state rock.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its green waxy appearance, softness, conchoidal-to-uneven fracture, and possible magnetism; a streak or hardness test and laboratory analysis distinguish it from jade and chlorite rocks. Common in Alpine-type ultramafic complexes worldwide.