metamorphic
Serpentinite
Serpentinite (group of minerals: Antigorite, Lizardite, Chrysotile)
Hardness: 3-6 (Mohs scale), Color: Olive green to black/green with mottled yellow or white veins, Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky, Crystal structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: Poor to perfect depending on mineral type, Specific gravity: 2.5-3.2
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 (Mohs scale), Color: Olive green to black/green with mottled yellow or white veins, Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky, Crystal structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: Poor to perfect depending on mineral type, Specific gravity: 2.5-3.2
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock (like peridotite) from the Earth's mantle; often occurs in subduction zones where water is forced into the mantle.
Uses & applications
Used as an architectural ornamental stone (Verde Antique), for carving sculptures, as a source for magnesium, and historically as a source of asbestos.
Geological facts
Serpentinite is the official state rock of California. Its distinctive green, slippery appearance is sometimes called 'serpentine soil' because its unique chemistry creates specialized habitats for rare plants.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its waxy luster, varying shades of green, and 'slickenside' surfaces that feel slippery or soapy when touched. Commonly found in ophiolite complexes and tectonic plate boundaries.
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