metamorphic
Serpentine with Quartz Vein
Serpentinite (Mg, Fe, Ni, Al, Zn, Mn)2-3(Si, Al, Fe)2O5(OH)4 with SiO2 veins
Hardness: 3-6 (Serpentine) and 7 (Quartz); Color: Shades of green, yellowish-brown, grayish-green with white/clear veins; Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky (serpentine) and vitreous (quartz); Crystal Structure: Monoclinic or Orthorhombic; Cleavage: Poor to none; Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.3
- Hardness
- 3-6 (Serpentine) and 7 (Quartz)
- Luster
- Greasy, waxy, or silky (serpentine) and vitreous (quartz)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 (Serpentine) and 7 (Quartz); Color: Shades of green, yellowish-brown, grayish-green with white/clear veins; Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky (serpentine) and vitreous (quartz); Crystal Structure: Monoclinic or Orthorhombic; Cleavage: Poor to none; Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.3
Formation & geological history
Formed through the serpentinization process where ultramafic igneous rocks (like peridotite) are hydrated at low temperatures in subduction zones or mid-ocean ridges. Quartz veins often form later as hydrothermal fluids rich in silica fill fractures in the rock.
Uses & applications
Predominantly used as decorative stone, architectural facings, and in jewelry (as 'New Jade'). Historically used for its heat resistance and as a source of asbestos, though modern uses focus on aesthetics and lapidary arts.
Geological facts
Serpentine is the official state rock of California. The name 'serpentine' comes from the Latin 'serpentinus', meaning 'resembling a snake', due to its green color and scaly, mottled appearance. When it contains magnesite or quartz veins, it is often called 'ophicalcite'.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its characteristic waxy 'greasiness', green-mottled color, and relative softness (can often be scratched with a penny, though the quartz vein cannot). Found commonly in tectonic plate boundaries, the Coast Ranges of California, and the Appalachian Mountains.
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