Serpentine
What is Serpentine?
Serpentine is a group of minerals that occur in various shades of green and can also be colorless, yellow, or brown. It’s primarily found in the United States, Great Britain, and Zimbabwe. Serpentine is often used as a gemstone and is popular for its unique green color and patterns.
Serpentine is a versatile gemstone that comes in a range of green shades. Its unique appearance and color make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items, especially beads and pendants.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Silicate (Phyllosilicate) |
| Color | Most commonly green, but can vary from yellow-green to dark green, and sometimes even black or white. |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Waxy to silky. |
| Transparency | Opaque. |
| Occurrence | United Kingdom (especially Cornwall), USA, and Canada. |
| Formation | Typically found in metamorphic rocks, especially those derived from ultramafic rocks. |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent to opaque |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs Hardness | 2.5 to 5.5 |
| Specific Gravity | 2.2 - 2.9, depending on the specific mineral. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Green, waxy luster, often looks like snake skin. |
| Chemical Composition | (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| Pleochroism | Not observed in serpentine. |
| Crystal System | Monoclinic/Orthorhombic (depends on variety) |
| Optical Properties | Biaxial (+/-) |
| Refractive Index | 1.560 - 1.570 |
| Birefringence | 0.020 - 0.024 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 0° to 30° |
| Dispersion | Not typically noted for its dispersion. |