metamorphic
Polished green serpentine
Serpentinite, chiefly antigorite/lizardite Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectDark olive-green to yellow-green, mottled and waxy to greasy luster, rounded and polished. Mohs hardness about 2.5–4; generally massive with no visible crystal faces, and specific gravity about 2.5–2.6. The brown patches may be iron oxides or minor magnetite.
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Physical properties
Dark olive-green to yellow-green, mottled and waxy to greasy luster, rounded and polished. Mohs hardness about 2.5–4; generally massive with no visible crystal faces, and specific gravity about 2.5–2.6. The brown patches may be iron oxides or minor magnetite.
Formation & geological history
Forms when ultramafic mantle rocks such as peridotite are hydrated and altered during tectonic activity, commonly in ophiolite belts. The specimen’s precise age cannot be determined visually; serpentinization may occur across many geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used as ornamental stone, carvings, beads, cabochons, and occasionally architectural facing stone. It is mainly a decorative or collector material rather than a valuable gemstone.
Geological facts
Serpentine is a mineral-group name; serpentinite is the rock. Some deposits contain chrysotile asbestos, so avoid cutting, drilling, or generating dust unless its composition is tested.
Field identification & locations
Likely identification is based on the soft, waxy, mottled green appearance and polish. It commonly occurs in ultramafic/ophiolitic terrains, including parts of northern Iran near the Alborz region. A steel knife may scratch it; acid should not fizz. Confirm with hardness, streak, density, and laboratory mineralogical testing.
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