Rock: Serpentine

-Type of rock: Metamorphic

-Color: olive green
-Crystal Habits: Fibrous form:
Thread or hair-like crystals
frequently in parallel aggregates
composed of many individual
crystals.
-Geological term: Streak: color of
minerals in powered form.
Lustre of Crystals: Metallic: Very shiny, resembles polished metal.
-Description: Serpentine is a major rock which has a group of Magnesium-rich silicate minerals.
It is found as a constituent in many metamorphic and weather igneous rocks. It forms by
regional metamorphism of deep-sea rocks from the oceanic mantle. It is seldom seen on land
but common beneath the oceanic crust. Serpentine generally occurs in 3 forms: as chrysotile
(fibrous form), the most common variety of asbestos, antigorite and lizardite, both of these are
commonly massive and fine-grained.
-Texture of Rock: Aphanitic : Individual crystals are too small. It has a distinctive greenish-gray
to bluish-black color, streak white and may have a shiny appearance, silky skin.
-Chemistry formula: (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4, Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide.
-Hardness is 3- 4.5
-Specific Gravity: 2.2 2.6
-Associated Minerals: chromite, olivine, garnets, calcite, biotite and talc.
-Location: Italia, Russia, USA, Canada....
-Application: many industrial applications, including brake linings and fireproof fabrics and as an
ornamental stone. Serpentine is not good foundation material because they have plenty of
cracks inside which are potential risks can cause a catastrophe on which to build a multi-storey
building.