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.
Is this negevite?
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 negevite with a known reference. Negevite sits at Mohs 2.5-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Negevite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Negevite typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, brown, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Negevite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- 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 — that is 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?+
Where is negevite found?+
How much is negevite worth?+
What rocks look like negevite?+
What minerals are found with negevite?+
What kind of rock does negevite form in?+
What is negevite used for?+
Find negevite on the map
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