metamorphic
Serpentine
Serpentinite (Mg,Fe,Ni,Al,Zn,Mn)2-3(Si,Al,Fe)2O5(OH)4
Hardness: 3-6 on Mohs scale; Color: olive green, yellow, black or white; Luster: greasy, waxy, or silky; Crystal system: Monoclinic; Cleavage: indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.6
- Hardness
- 3-6 on Mohs scale
- Color
- olive green, yellow, black or white
- Luster
- greasy, waxy, or silky
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 on Mohs scale; Color: olive green, yellow, black or white; Luster: greasy, waxy, or silky; Crystal system: Monoclinic; Cleavage: indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.6
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic rocks (serpentinization) in the oceanic crust and mantle at low temperatures and high pressures.
Uses & applications
Used as an ornamental stone for carvings, architectural tiles, and sometimes as a source of magnesium. Historically used in jewelry and as a substitute for jade.
Geological facts
The name 'serpentine' comes from the mottled green appearance of the rock which resembles the skin of a serpent. Serpentine is the state rock of California.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic waxy luster and soapy feel. Found commonly in ophiolites along tectonic plate boundaries and in metamorphic belts.
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