metamorphic
Serpentine
Serpentinite (Mg, Fe, Ni)3Si2O5(OH)4
Hardness: 3-6 (Mohs scale), Color: Dark green with lighter green or white veins, Luster: Greasy or waxy, Crystal structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: Poor, Specific gravity: 2.5-3.3
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 (Mohs scale), Color: Dark green with lighter green or white veins, Luster: Greasy or waxy, Crystal structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: Poor, Specific gravity: 2.5-3.3
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rocks from the Earth's mantle, typically at low temperatures and high pressures in subduction zones.
Uses & applications
Used as an ornamental stone for carvings and architecture, as a source of magnesium, and occasionally as an industrial filler or for jewelry in its translucent varieties.
Geological facts
The name comes from its resemblance to the skin of a serpent. It is the official state rock of California and is often associated with asbestos minerals like chrysotile.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic 'snakeskin' appearance, greasy feel, and green-mottled color. Commonly found in ophiolite complexes, notably in California, Italy, and Greece.
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