metamorphic
Serpentine (Serpentinite)
Serpentinite (complex of minerals including Antigorite, Lizardite, and Chrysotile); (Mg,Fe,Ni,Al,Zn,Mn)2-3(Si,Al,Fe)2O5(OH)4
Hardness: 3-6 on Mohs scale; Color: Green, yellow-green, or brownish-black; Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.2
- Hardness
- 3-6 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Green, yellow-green, or brownish-black
- Luster
- Greasy, waxy, or silky
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 on Mohs scale; Color: Green, yellow-green, or brownish-black; Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.2
Formation & geological history
Formed through serpentinization, a metamorphic process where low-silica mafic and ultramafic rocks from the Earth's mantle are hydrated by water at high pressures and relatively low temperatures.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone in architecture, as a source of magnesium, historically for asbestos fiber, and frequently in jewelry or as pocket stones/tumbled specimens.
Geological facts
Serpentine is the state rock of California. It is named for its green color and scaly appearance, which resembles the skin of a serpent. Some varieties are used by carvers for figurines due to their workable hardness.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic mottled green color and waxy feel. It is commonly found in ophiolite complexes, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (Cornwall), and the United States (California and Vermont).
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