Information about Lizardite

Lizardite is a member of the serpentine group of minerals, known for its earthy, waxy appearance and soft texture.

It commonly occurs in shades of light green, yellowish-green, or pale gray and often has a mottled or veined pattern, making it attractive for ornamental purposes.

Uses and History

Lizardite is primarily used as a decorative stone and carving material. It is occasionally polished for use in jewellery or as ornamental objects.

It’s worth noting that the material is too soft for jewellery use on anything other than pendants or earrings – nothing with too much contact with other materials.

Lizardite was first described in 1955 and named after the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, England, where it was initially identified.

This region is renowned for its ‘serpentinised’ ultramafic rocks, providing a natural setting for lizardite formation. Over the years, the mineral has been found in similar geological environments worldwide, including Italy, Canada, and New Zealand.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Lizardite is perhaps an unusual name and may not translate well into other languages.

Further Reading / External Links

• https://handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lizardite.pdf
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizardite
• https://www.mindat.org/min-2425.html
• https://museum.wales/mineralogy-of-wales/database/?mineral=304&name=Lizardite