Garnierite
Garnierite is nickel-bearing serpentine-clay mixture, ((Ni,Mg)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ mixtures). In the hand, it rates 2 to 4 on the Mohs scale, and it runs apple green and mint. Apple-green waxy stone swirled with white, soft, lightweight, and sold misleadingly as 'green moonstone' despite zero feldspar sheen.
The geology.
Garnierite carries the formula ((Ni,Mg)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ mixtures). It belongs to the, (cryptocrystalline mixture) system. Catalogues list it as nickel-bearing serpentine-clay mixture.
It sits at 2 to 4 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads waxy to greasy. Light behaviour is opaque. Specific gravity runs 2.3 to 2.8. The streak is pale green-white. It breaks with uneven, slightly crumbly fracture.
Apple-green waxy stone swirled with white, soft, lightweight, and sold misleadingly as 'green moonstone' despite zero feldspar sheen.
It reaches buyers as tumbled, palm stones, spheres or raw lumps.
The origins.
Nickel laterites: New Caledonia (the classic ore), Madagascar (source of most tumbles), Indonesia, Oregon (USA).
On value, the database notes: common and affordable.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, sold under the 'green moonstone' banner with new-beginnings themes, honest sellers call it nickel serpentine.
We keep this section because people ask. It sits below the geology on purpose, and none of it describes something the stone does.
Spotting the real thing.
Apple-green waxy stone swirled with white, soft, lightweight, and sold misleadingly as 'green moonstone' despite zero feldspar sheen.
The mislabel IS the issue: 'green moonstone' is garnierite nearly every time, no glow, no moonstone.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Moonstone (real) | True moonstone is feldspar with a rolling adularescent glow; garnierite has flat waxy color, no glow |
| Serpentine | Close cousin, garnierite is essentially nickel-rich serpentine; the nickel green is brighter mint |
| Chrysoprase | Chrysoprase is glass-hard translucent chalcedony; garnierite is soft and opaque |
At-home tests.
Before anyone talks you into a lab report, these are the checks worth doing yourself on garnierite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| Scratch check | Knife scratches it easily |
| By eye | No adularescent sheen whatsoever |
| By eye | Light in hand; waxy feel |
Stop short of anything that leaves a mark. A gemologist can answer the rest without damaging the stone.
Care & handling.
At 2 to 4 on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with uneven, slightly crumbly fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Skip the ultrasonic. Lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft cloth handle routine cleaning without risk.
Nickel-bearing, harmless polished, but wash hands after handling raw crumbly material and skip elixirs.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is ((Ni,Mg)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ mixtures). Crystal system:, (cryptocrystalline mixture). Specific gravity: 2.3 to 2.8. Streak: Pale green-white. Cleavage and fracture: Uneven, slightly crumbly fracture.
How it reaches the market
Nickel laterites: New Caledonia (the classic ore), Madagascar (source of most tumbles), Indonesia, Oregon (USA).
What it gets confused with
Moonstone (real): True moonstone is feldspar with a rolling adularescent glow; garnierite has flat waxy color, no glow. Serpentine: Close cousin, garnierite is essentially nickel-rich serpentine; the nickel green is brighter mint. Chrysoprase: Chrysoprase is glass-hard translucent chalcedony; garnierite is soft and opaque.
What it is worth
Common and affordable.
Where buyers get caught
The mislabel IS the issue: 'green moonstone' is garnierite nearly every time, no glow, no moonstone.
One more thing
Garnierite is mined by the megaton as nickel ore, your stainless steel spoon likely contains atoms from rock like this.
An education-first guide.
We do not carry garnierite. This page exists because the question comes up and the honest answer is worth writing down, whether or not there is anything here to sell you.
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