metamorphic
Serpentinite
Serpentinite (Hydrated magnesium iron silicate)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 3 to 5 on the Mohs scale, mottled green and black coloration, greasy or waxy luster, and massive to fibrous crystal habit.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Serpentinite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 3 to 5 on the Mohs scale, mottled green and black coloration, greasy or waxy luster, and massive to fibrous crystal habit.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic rocks like peridotite from Earth's mantle, typically at converging plate boundaries.
Uses & applications
Utilized as a decorative dimension stone, in architectural facades, and occasionally for carving ornamental objects.
Geological facts
It is the official state rock of California and often hosts veins of chrysotile asbestos.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic green mottling, relative softness, and soapy feel; commonly found in ophiolite sequences worldwide.
More like this
