metamorphic

Serpentinite (likely)

Serpentinite; chiefly serpentine-group minerals, Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄, commonly with magnetite and minor carbonates

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Dark blue-green to gray, mottled and waxy, with a polished-looking luster and irregular fibrous/veined texture. Serpentine has Mohs hardness about 2.5–4, no consistent cleavage, and specific gravity roughly 2.5–2.7; the photograph alone cannot confirm composition.

Identified September 10, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when ultramafic mantle rocks such as peridotite are hydrated during metamorphism, commonly along faults and ophiolite belts. The specimen is likely geologically ancient, but its age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative or carving stone, ornamental aggregate, and historically as a low-grade source of magnesium; attractive varieties may be tumbled or polished.

Geological facts

Its blue-green coloration and convoluted “snake-skin” pattern are characteristic. Avoid cutting or grinding unknown serpentinite because some deposits can contain asbestos-form serpentine minerals.

Field identification & locations

The rounded shape may indicate stream transport or deliberate tumbling. Around 13.2°N, 39.2°E in northern Ethiopia, serpentinite is geologically plausible in ophiolitic/ophiolite-related terranes, though a field test or laboratory analysis is needed to distinguish it from chlorite-rich metamorphic rock or weathered basalt.