Greenlizardite is a variety of the serpentine group, often found as soft, waxy, green platy masses. It is primarily identified by its characteristic feel and color in metamorphosed ultramafic environments.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralcommon

Greenlizardite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this greenlizardite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch greenlizardite with a known reference. Greenlizardite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Greenlizardite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Greenlizardite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy or micaceous aggregates.

Often confused with

Greenlizardite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Serpentine

Mohs 2.5-5.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Greenlizardite and greasy on Serpentine.

Compare →

Often found alongside greenlizardite

Minerals reported to co-occur with greenlizardite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 2.57 g/cm³
Colors: Green
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Platy or Micaceous Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Ornamental
Host rock: Ultramafic Rocks
Typical price: $5-30 per specimen

Where rockhounds find greenlizardite

Classic worldwide localities

Greenland
Norway
United States

Field-hunting tip

Look in ultramafic rocks country — that is the host setting where greenlizardite typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, chromite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or micaceous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify greenlizardite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include green.

Where is greenlizardite found?+

Notable localities include Greenland; Norway; United States.

How much is greenlizardite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-30 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like greenlizardite?+

Greenlizardite is most often confused with Serpentine. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with greenlizardite?+

Greenlizardite commonly co-occurs with Magnetite, Chromite, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does greenlizardite form in?+

Greenlizardite typically forms in ultramafic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is greenlizardite used for?+

Greenlizardite is used in collector, ornamental.

Find greenlizardite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.