metamorphic

Weathered, garnet-bearing schist (tentative identification)

Mica schist, likely quartz–feldspar–mica schist; exact minerals cannot be confirmed from the photograph

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Coarse, brown-weathered specimen with pale quartz/feldspar and shiny, possibly mica-rich areas. Schist typically has foliated texture; mica hardness is 2–3 and quartz is 7 Mohs. Crystal structure and specific gravity are not reliably determined visually here.

Identified October 13, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Weathered, garnet-bearing schist (tentative identification)
Scientific name: Mica schist, likely quartz–feldspar–mica schist; exact minerals cannot be confirmed from the photograph
Category: metamorphic
Identified: October 13, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $2–$20 for a common hand specimen; more if it contains well-formed, identifiable garnets or comes with locality information.

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

Formed when clay-rich sedimentary or igneous rock was recrystallized under heat and pressure, developing aligned mica and schistosity. Its age and metamorphic setting cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Schist is used locally as building or landscaping stone and is collected for its texture and mineral crystals; attractive garnet-bearing pieces may be decorative.

Geological facts

Schist is named for its conspicuous foliation, caused by platy minerals such as mica. The specimen’s visible brown coloration may largely reflect weathering or iron staining.

Field identification & locations

Look for shiny, aligned mica flakes and a tendency to split along foliation; a hand lens can help distinguish mica from quartz. Schist occurs in metamorphic belts worldwide, but locality is unknown from the photo.