metamorphic
Serpentine
Antigorite, Lizardite, or Chrysotile; Mg3Si2O5(OH)4
Hardness: 3-6 Mohs; Color: Mottled green, dark green to black-green, or brownish-yellow; Luster: Waxy, greasy, or silky; Crystal system: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.2
- Hardness
- 3-6 Mohs
- Color
- Mottled green, dark green to black-green, or brownish-yellow
- 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; Color: Mottled green, dark green to black-green, or brownish-yellow; Luster: Waxy, greasy, or silky; Crystal system: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Poor; Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.2
Formation & geological history
Formed through serpentinization, a metamorphic process where low-silica ultramafic rocks (like peridotite) from the Earth's mantle are hydrothermalized by water at relatively low temperatures.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative architectural stone, for carving sculptures, as a source for magnesium and asbestos (historically), and as lapidary material for jewelry and ornaments.
Geological facts
Serpentine is the state rock of California. Its name is derived from its snake-like green color and mottled texture. It is often confused with jade but is significantly softer.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic waxy luster and soapy feel. It is found in mountain belts formed by plate tectonics, such as the Appalachian Mountains, Cascades, and the Alps.
More like this
