Serpentine

Serpentine is a group of minerals that are typically green in color and have a waxy or greasy luster.

Serpentine is a popular material for carving and sculpting, as well as for use in jewelry and other decorative objects. It is also used in the production of building materials, such as countertops and flooring, due to its durability and resistance to heat and water.

 

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Information about Serpentine

Serpentine is a group of greenish, brownish, or spotted minerals often exhibiting a waxy, silky, or greasy luster. It typically ranges in shades of green, from light to dark, with occasional yellow, brown, or black hues.

Its texture can be smooth or fibrous, and it often has a mottled or veined appearance resembling snake skin—hence the name serpentine. It is commonly found in massive form but can also appear as fibrous or platy crystals.

 

Uses and History

Serpentine has been used for thousands of years as an ornamental stone in carvings, jewellery, and architectural details. It’s popular for decorative objects like vases, tiles, and sculptures.

Industrially, some serpentine minerals (like chrysotile) were historically used as asbestos for insulation, though this usage has decreased due to health risks.

Serpentine has a rich history in ancient civilizations, including Chinese, Roman, and Mesoamerican cultures, where it was carved into amulets, seals, and ceremonial objects.

The serpentine group includes the following members:

  • Amesite – Mg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4
  • Antigorite – Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
  • Berthierine – (Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4
  • Brindleyite – (Ni,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4
  • Caryopilite – Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4
  • Chrysotile – Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
  • Cronstedtite – Fe2+2Fe3+((Si,Fe3+)2O5)(OH)4
  • Fraipontite – (Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4
  • Guidottiite – Mn2Fe3+(Fe3+SiO5)(OH)4
  • Kellyite – Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4
  • Lizardite – Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
  • Népouite – Ni3Si2O5(OH)4
  • Pecoraite – Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4

 

It is common for unidentified members to be referred to as ‘serpentine’.

Serpentine is often missold as Jade; the difference is typically in the hardness, with most jade being harder than serpentine.

 

Mineralogy

Chemistry
Group of phyllosilicate minerals with the chemical formula X3Si2O5(OH)4,
with X = Mg2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Zn2+
Colours and Variations

Green, brown, black

Streak
White, greenish white
Luster
Vitreous, silky, greasy, waxy
Transparency
Opaque to translucent
Fracture
Brittle
Crystal habit
Massive, fibrous
Mohs hardness
2.5 – 6.0
Fluorescence
Varies
Specific Gravity
2.2 – 2.9
Easiest testing method

Hazards and Warnings

Potentially hazardous mineral – some serpentine group minerals are asbestiform, particularly chrysotile, well known as one of the forms of asbestos.

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

Arabic:

Hindi:

Portuguese:

  • Serpentina

Bengali:

Indonesian:

Punjabi:

English:

Italian:

  • Serpentino

Russian:

  • Серпентин

French:

Japanese:

  • 蛇紋石

Spanish:

  • Serpentingruppe

German:

  • Serpentingruppe

Korean:

Thai:

Gujurati:

Mandarin Chinese:

  • 蛇纹石族

Urdu:

Further Reading / External Links