metamorphic
Serpentine
Serpentine group ((Mg,Fe,Ni,Al,Zn,Mn)3(Si,Fe)2O5(OH)4)
Hardness: 2.5–5.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Olive green, dark green, brownish-green. Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky. Cleavage: Poor to basal. Specific Gravity: 2.5–2.6.
- Hardness
- 2
- Color
- Olive green, dark green, brownish-green
- Luster
- Greasy, waxy, or silky
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Physical properties
Hardness: 2.5–5.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Olive green, dark green, brownish-green. Luster: Greasy, waxy, or silky. Cleavage: Poor to basal. Specific Gravity: 2.5–2.6.
Formation & geological history
Formed by hydrothermal alteration and metamorphism of ultramafic igneous rocks (such as peridotite or dunite) rich in olivine and pyroxene, typically occurring at convergent plate boundaries.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone, architectural facings, carvings, lapidary art, and historically as a source of industrial asbestos (chrysotile variant).
Geological facts
Serpentine is the official state rock of California. The name derives from its resemblance to the mottled green skin of a serpent.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive yellowish-green to dark olive green color, greasy to waxy feel, and moderate softness. Commonly found in ophiolite complexes worldwide, such as in California, Vermont, Italy, Greece, and New Zealand.
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