RocksdayGreenschist vs Phyllite
How to tell them apart
A green, flaky metamorphic rock rich in chlorite, epidote and actinolite.
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Siim assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0
A step up from slate: fine-grained with a silky sheen from microscopic mica.
Photo: EdwardEMeyer, CC BY-SA 4.0
Key differences
- Phyllite is gray with a satin sheen.
Side by side
| Property | Greenschist | Phyllite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Metamorphic rock | Metamorphic rock |
| Mohs hardness | 3–5 | 3–4 |
| Luster | Silky to dull | Satiny sheen |
| Colors | Green | Gray, Green, Silver |
| Crystal system / structure | Foliated, chlorite-rich | Fine-grained, foliated, crinkled |
| Specific gravity | 2.7–3 | 2.7–2.9 |
| Found in | Appalachian Mountains; Alps | Vermont; Scottish Highlands |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify greenschist
- Green and foliated.
- Soft, slightly greasy flakes.
- Often with yellow-green epidote.
Structure: Foliated, chlorite-rich
Full Greenschist guide →How to identify phyllite
- Satin-like sheen on split surfaces.
- Often wavy or crinkled.
- Individual mica flakes too small to see.
Structure: Fine-grained, foliated, crinkled
Full Phyllite guide →More comparisons
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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