Greenstone identification and geology

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• Previous: Greenschist — Green-colored metamorphic rock characteristic of the greenschist facies. Color from chlorite, epidote, and actinolite.
• Next: Greisen — Quartz-mica rock formed by hydrothermal alteration of granite by fluorine and boron-rich fluids. Associated with tin-tungsten deposits.
• Basalt
• Serpentinite

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner

GeoMiner

Last updated

2026-02-10T20:35:32.277952+00:00

Review status

Published; not independently peer-reviewed

• Rocks — U.S. National Park Service. Authoritative overview of rock groups, the rock cycle, and geologic processes.
• Can you identify my rock or mineral? — U.S. Geological Survey. Identification limitations and routes to in-person professional verification.

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Common questions

What is Greenstone?

General term for dark green, low-grade metamorphic rocks derived from mafic volcanic rocks. Common in Archean terranes.

How can you identify Greenstone?

Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records rock type: Metamorphic Low-grade; texture: Massive to schistose; grain size: Fine; common minerals: Chlorite, Epidote, Actinolite, Albite. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.

How does Greenstone form?

Forms from low-grade metamorphism or hydrothermal alteration of mafic volcanic rocks.

Where is Greenstone commonly found?

Archean greenstone belts of Canada, Australia, South Africa, India; host to gold deposits.

What is Greenstone commonly confused with?

Greenstone may be confused with Greenschist, Basalt, Serpentinite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.