metamorphic
Serpentinite
Serpentinite (Mg ₃ Si ₂ O ₅ (OH) ₄)
Hardness: 3-6 Mohs. Color: Greenish-black to olive green with waxy luster and smooth, soapy feel. Structure: Microcrystalline, often fibrous or platy.
- Hardness
- 3-6 Mohs
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 Mohs. Color: Greenish-black to olive green with waxy luster and smooth, soapy feel. Structure: Microcrystalline, often fibrous or platy.
Formation & geological history
Formed through hydration of ultramafic rocks (like peridotite) in the Earth's mantle or oceanic crust. Common in ophiolite complexes, including those found in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone (architectural cladding), for carving (pipestone), and as a source of magnesium.
Geological facts
This specimen likely comes from the Antalya Nappe system, where ophiolites are widespread. Serpentinite is the state rock of California and is often associated with the presence of chromium and nickel.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic dark green color, waxy to greasy feel, and the presence of pale veins. Near Antalya, Turkey (36.7°N), it is very common in the coastal mountain ranges.
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