metamorphic
Serpentinite
Serpentine group minerals (Mg, Fe, Ni, Al, Zn, Mn)2-3(Si, Al, Fe)2O5(OH)4
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.
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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.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinct green color, 'snake-skin' appearance, and waxy texture. Commonly found in ophiolite complexes and fault zones globally.
