metamorphic
Serpentine / Antigorite
Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 (Serpentine Group)
Hardness: 3-6 on Mohs scale. Color: Dark green to brownish-green, bluish-green, or blackish. Luster: Waxy, resinous, or silky. Cleavage: Poor to basal. Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.6.
- Hardness
- 3-6 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Dark green to brownish-green, bluish-green, or blackish
- Luster
- Waxy, resinous, or silky
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 on Mohs scale. Color: Dark green to brownish-green, bluish-green, or blackish. Luster: Waxy, resinous, or silky. Cleavage: Poor to basal. Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.6.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphic alteration (serpentinization) of ultramafic igneous rocks like peridotite and pyroxenite by hydrothermal fluids at low temperatures and high pressure.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone, carvings, lapidary projects, dimension stone, and historically as a source of asbestos or industrial magnesium.
Geological facts
Serpentine gets its name from its serpent-like, scaly dark green appearance. It is the official state rock of California.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive deep green color, greasy to waxy feel, and relatively soft surface compared to quartz. Common in ophiolite belts globally, including Western North America, Italy, Greece, and New Zealand.
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