metamorphic
Serpentinite
Serpentinite (Mg, Fe, Ni, Al, Zn)2-3(Si, Al, Fe)2O5(OH)4
Hardness: 3-6 Mohs scale; Color: Dark green, olive-green, to blue-green; Luster: Waxy, greasy, or silky; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Often fibrous or platy; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.9
- Hardness
- 3-6 Mohs scale
- Color
- Dark green, olive-green, to blue-green
- Luster
- Waxy, greasy, or silky
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 3-6 Mohs scale; Color: Dark green, olive-green, to blue-green; Luster: Waxy, greasy, or silky; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Often fibrous or platy; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed by the low-temperature hydrothermal metamorphism (serpentinization) of mafic and ultramafic rocks from the Earth's mantle, typically at tectonic plate boundaries/subduction zones.
Uses & applications
Used as an ornamental stone in architecture, as a source for magnesium, and historically as a precursor for asbestos. It is also a popular collector's specimen and used for sculpture.
Geological facts
Serpentinite is the state rock of California. It often creates a distinct soil type that is toxic to most plants but hosts rare/endemic flora. It is frequently associated with nephrite jade and magnetite.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its dark green color, 'snake-skin' waxy appearance, and relatively soft surface that can often be scratched with a knife. Found in orogenic belts such as the Alps and the Cascades.
More like this
