Negevite is a local variety of serpentine mineral found within the Negev desert of Israel. It typically presents as a dense, waxy, green to brownish mass and is primarily sought after by regional collectors for its specific geographical provenance.

Hardness

2.5-3.5

Mohs

Luster

Waxy

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralcommonSerpentine Group family

Negevite

Hardness: 2.5-3.5
Luster: Waxy
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this negevite?

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 negevite with a known reference. Negevite sits at Mohs 2.5-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Negevite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Negevite typically shows a waxy luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: green, brown, yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.

Often confused with

Negevite 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 waxy on Negevite and greasy on Serpentine.

How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Negevite and greasy on Antigorite.

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Often found alongside negevite

Minerals reported to co-occur with negevite. 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: 2.5-3.5
Density: 2.5-2.7 g/cm³
Colors: Green Brown Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Waxy
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Lapidary
Host rock: Metamorphic
Typical price: $5-30 specimen

Where rockhounds find negevite

Classic worldwide localities

Israel

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphic country, the host setting where negevite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify negevite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3.5. It typically shows a waxy luster. The streak is white. Common colors include green, brown, yellow.

Where is negevite found?+

Notable localities include Israel.

How much is negevite worth?+

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

What rocks look like negevite?+

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

What minerals are found with negevite?+

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

What kind of rock does negevite form in?+

Negevite typically forms in metamorphic. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is negevite used for?+

Negevite is used in collector, lapidary.

Find negevite on the map

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