Serpentine Group

Clay Minerals Group trigonal, monoclinic, orthorhombic (-) Relief - low Colour - green, yellow, red-brown, RI - 1.532-1.574 Birefringence - 0.004-0.017 Interference colours - first order

partial alteration to serpentine group minerals of olivine PPL dunite

partial alteration to serpentine group minerals of olivine, the crystal above in crossed polars. XPL dunite

olivine crystal completely altered to serpentine group minerals, poikilitically enclosed by an unlatered clinopyroxene. XPL peridotite

enlarged view of an olivine crystal undergoing alteration to serpentine along fractures. PPL peridotite

relict olivine crystals in a serpentinite PPL peridotite

relict olivine crystals in a serpentinite XPL peridotite

Totally serpentinised peridotite. Pseudomorphs of olivuine are visible and asbestiform crystals of the serpentine mineral chrysotile occupy the centre of the fiel of view. Red-brown and opaque material is the iron-rich clay mixture iddingsite. The green material may be bowlingite (chlorite-rich). PPL serpentinite