metamorphic
Serpentine
Antigorite/Lizardite/Chrysotile group, Mg3Si2O5(OH)4
Hardness: 2.5-5; Color: shades of green with black inclusions; Luster: waxy, greasy, or silky; Structure: monoclinic/triclinic; Cleavage: poor; Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.6
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- shades of green with black inclusions
- Luster
- waxy, greasy, or silky
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5-5; Color: shades of green with black inclusions; Luster: waxy, greasy, or silky; Structure: monoclinic/triclinic; Cleavage: poor; Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.6
Formation & geological history
Formed through serpentinization, the low-temperature metamorphic hydration of ultramafic rocks (like peridotite) from the Earth's mantle, typically at tectonic plate boundaries.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative architectural stone, in jewelry (often as a jade simulant), and historically as a source of asbestos and magnesium.
Geological facts
Serpentine is the official state rock of California. The name comes from its snake-like green color and mottled texture. It is a primary component of the rock serpentinite.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its greasy feel, green mottled appearance, and relatively soft surface that can often be scratched with a copper coin or knife. Frequently found in coastal mountain ranges.
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