metamorphic

Serpentinite

Serpentine group minerals (Mg, Fe, Ni, Al, Zn, Mn)2-3(Si, Al, Fe)2O5(OH)4

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 2.5-5.5 (Mohs), color varies from greasy dark green to light green with veins, waxy to greasy luster, massive or fibrous structure, soapy or slippery feel when handled.

Identified July 15, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Hardness 2.5-5.5 (Mohs), color varies from greasy dark green to light green with veins, waxy to greasy luster, massive or fibrous structure, soapy or slippery feel when handled.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the serpentinization process of ultramafic rocks (like peridotite) from the Earth's mantle, typically at tectonic plate boundaries where water meets heat and pressure.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative stone, in jewelry (often as a jade simulant), for carving, and historically as a source of asbestos and magnesium.

Geological facts

Serpentinite is the state rock of California; it is often associated with specific 'serpentine soils' that host rare endemic plant species due to high magnesium and low calcium content.