Serpentine
| Colour | Green, Yellow, Blue, Gray |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 2.5–6 (original) 3.5–4.0 (antigorite) 2.5 (lizardite) 2.5–3.0 (chrysotile) |
| Lustre | Vitreous, silky, greasy, waxy |
| Streak | White, greenish-white |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Cleavage | Almost perfect |
| Chemical formula | with X = Mg 2+ , Fe 2+ , Ni 2+ , Mn 2+ , Zn 2+ |
| Specific gravity | 2.2–2.9 |
What is Serpentine?
Serpentine subgroup are greenish, brownish, or spotted minerals commonly found in serpentinite. They are used as a source of magnesium and asbestos, and as decorative stone. The name comes from the greenish color and smooth or scaly appearance from the Latin serpentinus, meaning "snake-like".
How to identify Serpentine
- Lustre: Vitreous, silky, greasy, waxy.
- Hardness: Mohs 2.5–6 (original) 3.5–4.0 (antigorite) 2.5 (lizardite) 2.5–3.0 (chrysotile) — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: White, greenish-white.
- Habit: Monoclinic crystal system.
Serpentine in different forms
Stones often confused with Serpentine
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Serpentine?
Serpentine is Mohs 2.5–6 (original) 3.5–4.0 (antigorite) 2.5 (lizardite) 2.5–3.0 (chrysotile) on the hardness scale.
What colour is Serpentine?
Serpentine is typically green, yellow, blue, gray (Green, yellowish-green, blueish-gray (antigorite) Green, brown, light yellow to white (lizardite) Greyish green to white).