Lizardite is a common member of the serpentine group and is typically found as dense, massive, or scaly green to grey aggregates. Collectors should look for its characteristic greasy luster and waxy feel, which differentiates it from harder silicate minerals in similar environments.
Is this lizardite?
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 lizardite with a known reference. Lizardite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lizardite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lizardite typically shows a greasy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green, white, gray, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, foliated, or scaly aggregates.
Often confused with
Lizardite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lizardite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lizardite. 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
- 2.5-2.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Greasy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Foliated, Or Scaly Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative, Ornamental
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Rocks and Serpentinites
- Typical price
- $5-30 for cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find lizardite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cornwall, UK
- New Jersey, USA
- Quebec, Canada
- Zermatt, Switzerland
- New Caledonia
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic rocks and serpentinites country — that is the host setting where lizardite typically forms. If you start seeing chromite, magnetite, brucite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, foliated, or scaly aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lizardite?+
Where is lizardite found?+
How much is lizardite worth?+
What rocks look like lizardite?+
What minerals are found with lizardite?+
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Find lizardite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
