metamorphic
Serpentinite (likely serpentine-rich stone)
Serpentine-group minerals, chiefly antigorite, lizardite, and/or chrysotile; commonly with magnetite and talc
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectDark green to yellow-green, mottled, waxy to dull luster, and rounded/polished surface; serpentine has Mohs hardness about 2.5–4, no consistent cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.5–2.6. The photograph is insufficient to confirm mineral identity.
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Physical properties
Dark green to yellow-green, mottled, waxy to dull luster, and rounded/polished surface; serpentine has Mohs hardness about 2.5–4, no consistent cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.5–2.6. The photograph is insufficient to confirm mineral identity.
Formation & geological history
Forms when ultramafic mantle rocks such as peridotite are hydrated during metamorphism, commonly in oceanic crust and subduction zones; ages range from Precambrian to modern tectonic settings.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone, carvings, beads, and historically for architectural surfaces; fibrous chrysotile-bearing material may contain asbestos and should not be cut, drilled, or powdered.
Geological facts
The green coloration comes from iron- and magnesium-rich serpentine minerals; dark veins or specks may be magnetite or chromite.
Field identification & locations
Common in California, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Norway, and many ophiolite belts. Field clues include a soft, waxy feel, green mottling, and possible scratching by a steel knife; a hardness test and streak/magnet tests can help distinguish it from jade.
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