Virginia Greenstone is a metamorphic rock composed primarily of chlorite, epidote, and actinolite, derived from ancient volcanic basalts. It is highly valued by local lapidary artists for its deep, consistent green color and ease of carving, often used in architectural accents and small sculptures. It is most commonly identified by its dense, massive structure and greasy-to-dull luster.
Is this virginia greenstone?
3-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 virginia greenstone with a known reference. Virginia Greenstone sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull to silky.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, dark green, gray-green.
Often confused with
Virginia Greenstone vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull to silky on Virginia Greenstone and greasy on Serpentine.
How to tell apart: Virginia Greenstone is noticeably harder (Mohs 3-4 vs. 1); luster reads dull to silky on Virginia Greenstone and greasy on Soapstone.
Often found alongside virginia greenstone
Minerals reported to co-occur with virginia greenstone. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.7-3.0 g/cm³
- Luster
- Dull to silky
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Architectural stone, Decorative
- Host rock
- metamorphic greenstone belts
Where rockhounds find virginia greenstone
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Virginia, USA
- Appalachian Mountains, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: metamorphic greenstone belts. If you start seeing chlorite, actinolite, epidote in float, you are in the right ground. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Virginia. Start trip planning there.
More virginia greenstone photos
Common questions
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Find virginia greenstone on the map
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