metamorphic
Serpentine
Serpentine Group (Mg3Si2O5(OH)4)
Hardness: 3 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, Color: shades of green, yellow, brown, or white with dark veins, Luster: greasy, waxy, or silky, Crystal structure: monoclinic, Cleavage: poor, Specific gravity: 2.5 to 2.7
- Hardness
- 3 to 5
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, Color: shades of green, yellow, brown, or white with dark veins, Luster: greasy, waxy, or silky, Crystal structure: monoclinic, Cleavage: poor, Specific gravity: 2.5 to 2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed by the metamorphism of ultramafic rocks from the Earth's mantle, specifically through hydration and metasomatism at tectonic plate boundaries.
Uses & applications
Used in ornamental carvings, architectural stone, asbestos (historical), and as a lapidary material for jewelry and tumbled stones.
Geological facts
Serpentine is the state rock of California and often resembles jade, leading to nicknames such as 'false jade' or 'new jade'.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its characteristic greenish mottled or veined appearance, soapy or waxy feel, and a lower hardness than true jade. Found worldwide in ophiolite complexes.
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