metamorphic

Serpentinite (likely veined variety)

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Dark greenish-black, fine-grained, waxy to subvitreous luster with pale cream/yellow veining; hardness about 2.5–4 Mohs, typically massive with no obvious cleavage, and specific gravity roughly 2.5–2.7. The apparent veins may be carbonate, silica, or altered mineral fractures.

Identified September 9, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Serpentinite (likely veined variety)
Scientific name: Serpentinite; chiefly serpentine-group minerals (antigorite, lizardite, chrysotile), commonly with magnetite and carbonate veins
Category: metamorphic
Identified: September 9, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 for a common tumbled or hand specimen; $30–$100+ for attractive polished, patterned, or large specimens.

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 undergo hydration and metamorphic alteration, commonly along tectonic plate boundaries and fault zones. Ages vary widely from Precambrian to modern oceanic settings.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative and architectural stone, carvings, lapidary material, and historically as a source of asbestos-bearing serpentinite; most hand specimens have modest value.

Geological facts

Serpentinite is California’s state rock and commonly records ancient oceanic lithosphere or mantle material exposed by tectonic uplift.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its dark green-black color, smooth/waxy feel, relatively low hardness, and pale vein network; it may scratch with a steel knife and can show a green streak or magnetic response if magnetite-rich. Common in California, the Appalachians, New Zealand, Italy, and ophiolite belts worldwide.