metamorphic
Serpentinite
Serpentinite (Hydrous magnesium iron phyllosilicate)
Hardness: 3-6 (Mohs), Color: shades of green (grey-green to yellowish-green), Luster: greasy, waxy, or silky, structure: massive or fibrous with no clear cleavage, Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.6.
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 (Mohs), Color: shades of green (grey-green to yellowish-green), Luster: greasy, waxy, or silky, structure: massive or fibrous with no clear cleavage, Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.6.
Formation & geological history
Formed at tectonic plate boundaries where ultramafic rocks from the Earth's mantle are hydrated through hydrothermal metamorphism at low temperatures.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative building stone, in sculpture (soapstone variety), for historical jewelry, and as a source of magnesium or asbestos (in some varieties).
Geological facts
Serpentinite is the state rock of California. It often creates unique soil conditions (serpentine soils) that host rare endemic plant species that can tolerate low calcium and high heavy metals.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive green color, greasy feel, and marbled appearance. Often found in ophiolite complexes where mantle material has been pushed up to the crust.
More like this
