metamorphic
Serpentinite-bearing quartz vein rock
Serpentinite (antigorite/lizardite) with milky quartz; possible chlorite or epidote alteration
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectGreen, mottled, waxy-to-dull upper portion contrasts with a white, glassy-to-pearly quartz-rich lower band. Serpentinite is typically Mohs 2.5–4, while quartz is Mohs 7; massive texture and no obvious cleavage are visible.
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Physical properties
Green, mottled, waxy-to-dull upper portion contrasts with a white, glassy-to-pearly quartz-rich lower band. Serpentinite is typically Mohs 2.5–4, while quartz is Mohs 7; massive texture and no obvious cleavage are visible.
Formation & geological history
Formed when ultramafic mantle rock hydrates during seafloor spreading or subduction, commonly with later quartz-filled fractures. Serpentinite ages range from Paleozoic to modern tectonic settings, depending on the locality.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone, carvings, landscaping material, and occasionally lapidary rough; quartz-rich pieces may polish attractively but are generally not gem grade.
Geological facts
The green color commonly comes from hydrated magnesium silicates, especially serpentine minerals. The sharp compositional boundary likely represents a healed fracture or vein.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its green, smooth/waxy appearance, low hardness, and association with white quartz; a steel nail may scratch serpentinite but not quartz. Common in ophiolites and tectonic mélange zones worldwide.
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