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.

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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, 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.