metamorphic
Serpentine (Healerite variety)
Serpentine group, Mg3Si2O5(OH)4
Hardness 2.5-5.5 (Mohs), yellow-green to olive color, waxy luster, fine-grained mass structure, specific gravity 2.5-2.6
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Physical properties
Hardness 2.5-5.5 (Mohs), yellow-green to olive color, waxy luster, fine-grained mass structure, specific gravity 2.5-2.6
Formation & geological history
Formed through serpentinization, which occurs when ultramafic rocks (like peridotite) are altered by low-temperature metamorphic processes and hydration.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a decorative stone, lapidary material for jewelry, carvings, and in metaphysical collecting.
Geological facts
This specific aesthetic often goes by the trade name 'Healerite' in the gemstone market; it is part of the serpentine group which is named for its resemblance to the skin of a serpent.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its greasy or waxy luster, characteristic olive-green color, and relative softness compared to quartz. Common in ophiolite belts.
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