Greenschist is a metamorphic rock formed under low-to-medium pressure and temperature conditions, characterized by its distinct green color derived from minerals like chlorite and epidote. It often exhibits a foliated texture known as schistosity, where minerals align to create a layered appearance. It is a common indicator of regional metamorphism in orogenic belts.
Is this greenschist?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch greenschist with a known reference. Greenschist sits at Mohs 3-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Greenschist leaves a colorless streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Greenschist typically shows a foliated luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, dark green, light green.
- 5Look at form & habitTypical habit: foliated.
Often confused with
Greenschist vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Greenschist leaves colorless, Amphibolite leaves white to gray; luster reads foliated on Greenschist and subvitreous to pearly on Amphibolite.
How to tell apart: Greenschist is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-6 vs. 1-2); streak differs, so Greenschist leaves colorless, Phyllite leaves white; luster reads foliated on Greenschist and silky on Phyllite.
Often found alongside greenschist
Minerals reported to co-occur with greenschist. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3-6
- Density
- 2.7-3.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Colorless
- Luster
- Foliated
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal habit
- Foliated
- Cleavage
- Schistose
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Construction, Decorative, Geological Study
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Terranes
- Typical price
- low, generally valued as decorative stone
Where rockhounds find greenschist
Classic worldwide localities
- Alps
- Appalachians
- Scotland
- New Zealand
- Scandinavia
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic terranes country, the host setting where greenschist typically forms. If you start seeing chlorite, epidote, actinolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a foliated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find greenschist on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
