Serpentine
Serpentine group
Common · Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
A group of magnesium silicate minerals formed by hydrothermal alteration of olivine and pyroxene in ultramafic rocks. Its fibrous member, chrysotile, is the main form of asbestos. Gives serpentinite its characteristic green mottled appearance.
Identity
- Formula
- Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
- Chemical class
- Silicate
- Members
- Antigorite, Chrysotile, Lizardite
- Also known as
- Antigorite, Chrysotile (fibrous), Lizardite, Bowenite (gem variety)
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Habits
- Massive, Fibrous, Foliated
- Fracture
- Splintery
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.55 g/cm³
- Luster
- Waxy, Silky, Resinous
- Colors
- green, dark green, blue-green, pale yellow, white
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- Translucent, Opaque
Geology
- Origins
- Metamorphic, Hydrothermal
- Host rocks
- Ultramafic rock (peridotite, serpentinite)
- Associated minerals
- Magnetite, Chromite, brucite, Olivine
- Found in
- Garnierite, Marble, Serpentinite
- Geography
- worldwide
Classification
- Rarity
- Common
- Gem quality
- Yes
Sources
- Serpentine Subgroup. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Antigorite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Lizardite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Clinochrysotile. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
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