metamorphic

Serpentinite

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 3-6 Mohs. Color: Greenish-yellow to dark green with brownish weathering. Luster: Greasy, waxy, or dull. Crystal Structure: Monoclinic (microcrystalline). Texture: Often slickensided or fibrous.

Hardness: 3-6 Mohs
Color: Greenish-yellow to dark green with brownish weathering
Luster: Greasy, waxy, or dull

Identified July 15, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the hydration of ultramafic rocks (like peridotite) from the Earth's mantle during a process called serpentinization, typically at tectonic plate boundaries/subduction zones.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative architectural stone, source of asbestos (historically), and as a magnesium ore. Some varieties are used in jewelry as 'Jade' substitutes.

Geological facts

Serpentinite is the official state rock of California. The serpentinization process is exothermic and produces hydrogen gas, which can support microbial life in extreme environments.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its waxy look, greenish hue, and 'slick' feel when touched. Commonly found in ophiolite complexes where oceanic crust has been thrust onto continental crust.