metamorphic
Tumbled yellow-green serpentine (probable)
Serpentine-group minerals, chiefly antigorite/lizardite; commonly Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque olive-yellow to green, waxy to dull luster, smooth tumbled surface, and irregular white veining or alteration patches. Hardness is typically 2.5–4 Mohs; massive rather than visibly crystalline, with no obvious cleavage; specific gravity about 2.5–2.6.
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Physical properties
Opaque olive-yellow to green, waxy to dull luster, smooth tumbled surface, and irregular white veining or alteration patches. Hardness is typically 2.5–4 Mohs; massive rather than visibly crystalline, with no obvious cleavage; specific gravity about 2.5–2.6.
Formation & geological history
Forms when magnesium-rich ultramafic rocks such as peridotite hydrate during low-temperature metamorphism, commonly in oceanic crust and tectonic fault zones. The specimen is likely a polished or tumbled fragment; its precise age cannot be determined visually.
Uses & applications
Used as ornamental stone, carvings, beads, tumbled stones, and decorative tile; historically mistaken for or marketed as “yellow jade,” though it is not jadeite or nephrite. Avoid dust from cutting, as some serpentinite may contain associated asbestos minerals.
Geological facts
The pale streaks may represent chrysotile, magnesite, or weathering products. Serpentine commonly has a characteristic greasy or waxy feel and may be softer than glass.
Field identification & locations
Common sources include California, Vermont, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, and Zimbabwe. Confirm with hardness, streak, density, and laboratory testing; visual identification is not definitive.
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