metamorphic
Serpentinite
Serpentinite (Mg, Fe, Ni, Al, Zn, Mn)2-3(Si, Al, Fe)2O5(OH)4
Hardness: 3-6 Mohs. Color: dark green to black with mottled 'snakeskin' patterns. Luster: waxy to greasy. Structure: massive to fibrous. Specific gravity: 2.5-3.2.
- Hardness
- 3-6 Mohs
- Color
- dark green to black with mottled 'snakeskin' patterns
- Luster
- waxy to greasy
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 Mohs. Color: dark green to black with mottled 'snakeskin' patterns. Luster: waxy to greasy. Structure: massive to fibrous. Specific gravity: 2.5-3.2.
Formation & geological history
Formed through serpentinization, an ultra-mafic hydration reaction of seafloor rocks (peridotite) under high pressure and low temperature, typically in subduction zones.
Uses & applications
Used as an architectural stone, in sculptures (as soapstone variants), and historically as a source of asbestos. High-quality varieties are used for jewelry and decorative carvings.
Geological facts
It is the official state rock of California. The name comes from its green color and scaly appearance, which resembles the skin of a serpent.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic waxy feel, green mottled color, and frequent association with magnetic minerals like magnetite. Commonly found in ophiolitic belts in coastal mountain ranges.
More like this
