metamorphic
Serpentine
Serpentinite (Mg, Fe, Ni, Al, Zn, Mn)3(Si, Al, Fe)2O5(OH)4
Hardness: 3-6 (Mohs); Color: Mottled green, dark green, or black with light streaks; Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.9.
- Hardness
- 3-6 (Mohs)
- Color
- Mottled green, dark green, or black with light streaks
- Luster
- Greasy, waxy, or silky
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 (Mohs); Color: Mottled green, dark green, or black with light streaks; Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydration of ultramafic rocks (serpentinization) in the Earth's mantle or lower crust. This process is common along tectonic plate boundaries and ophiolite complexes.
Uses & applications
Used as an ornamental stone for carvings, architectural veneer, jewelry (often as a jade substitute), and historically as a source of asbestos.
Geological facts
The name comes from its resemblance to the skin of a serpent. The region near Antalya, Turkey (36.7°N, 30.5°E) is geologically rich in the Tekirova ophiolite, where serpentinite is exceptionally common along the coast and mountains.
Field identification & locations
Check for a waxy feel and mottled green patterns. It is softer than steel. Commonly found as water-worn pebbles on beaches in southwestern Turkey due to the local ophiolite geology.
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