SERPENTINE Group

The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom

Chemical The Serpentine group is composed of several minerals related chemically

Formula and physically. There is a generic formula for the entire group; individual
members all fit in to the formula. The formula is:

X 2-3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4

X = Mg, Fe2+, Fe3+, Ni , Al, Zn, or Mn.

One of the two Si atoms may be replaced by an Al or Fe atom in a few rare
members.

This leads to a formula of (Mg,Fe,Ni,Al,Zn,Mn)2-3(Si,Al,Fe)2O5(OH)4.

The subscripted 2-3 after the first set of elements denotes that there are
two or three of the selected elements, depending on the charge of the
element.
(Some very rare forms of Serpentine contain water [H2O] in place of the
hydroxyl [OH]. Since the charge of water is different from hydroxyl, the
formula of these rare forms is slightly altered.)

The two most common members of the Serpentine Group are:

Antigorite - (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4
Chrysotile - Mg3Si2O5(OH)4

Chrysotile is not a single mineral, but a group of polymorphous minerals

with the same chemical composition but different crystal lattice. (Chrysotile
polytypes are Clinochrysotile [monoclinic], Orthochrysotile
[orthorhombic], Parachrysotile [orthorhombic], and Lizardite [trigonal] ).

Other members of the Serpentine group are:

Amesite - Mg2Al(SiAl)O5(OH)4
Cronstedtite - Fe2+2Fe3+(SiFe3+)O5(OH)4
Fraipontite - (Zn,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4
Nepouite - Ni3Si2O5(OH)4

There are several more rare members of the Serpentine group not
discussed in this guide.
Composition Basic silicate of magnesium, iron, aluminum, nickel, zinc, and manganese.
(Some rare varieties contain water in place of the hydroxyl, and substitute a
different metal in exchange of the charge difference.)
Color Yellow, green, brown, black, cream-white
Streak White
Hardness 2-5

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Crystal Forms Antigorite, Clinochrysotile, Cronstedtite, Fraipontite, and Nepouite all
and crystallize in the Monoclinic crystal system
Aggregates Orthochrysotile and Parachrysotile crystallize in the Orthorhombic crystal
system
Lizardite crystallize in the Hexagonal crystal system
Amesite crystallize in the Triclinic crystal system

Aggregates are massive, platy, fibrous (forming tough, flexible and elastic
fibers), botryoidal, columnar, earthy, platy, micaceous, in pyramidal
groupings, in parallel bladed groups, and as fibrous veins. Serpentine also
pseudomorphs after several minerals, where it occurs in the same crystal
shape as the pseudomorphed mineral
Transparency Translucent to opaque. Rarely transparent.
Specific 2.5 - 3.2
Gravity
Luster Greasy, waxy, or silky
Cleavage Usually not discernible because of crystal development. Chrysotile may
exhibit basal cleavage.
Fracture Conchoidal, splintery
Tenacity Brittle. Fibrous Serpentine is flexible and elastic.
Other ID Marks 1) Has a greasy feel
2) Yellow specimens usually fluoresce cream-white in shortwave ultraviolet
light
Other Names Chrysotile Asbestos - Synonym of Chrysotile
Varieties Asbestos - Any extremely fibrous mineral. When applied to Serpentine, it
refers to the fibrous variety (Chrysotile).
Chrysolite - Describes a mineral in the Olivine Group that is often
confused with Chrysotile.

Serpentine forms rocks that are sometimes classified as varieties because

of their almost complete Serpentine content. These are:

Serpentinite, or Serpentine Rock - Rock composed almost fully of

Serpentine, but contains small amounts of pyroxene and amphibole
minerals, as well as Olivine, Magnetite, Calcite, and Dolomite.
Verde Antique, or Serpentine Marble - Dark green rock composed of
Serpentine, and containing Calcite veins. It is considered a Marble.
Deweylite, or Gymnite - Chrysotile containing small amounts of
Stephanite.

There are numerous variety names given to different forms of Serpentine,

but many of them are not officially recognized. Nevertheless, all names are
mentioned here:

Antigorite - An individual mineral in the Serpentine group. The term is

sometimes used to describe only columnar Serpentine.
Chrysotile - An individual mineral in the Serpentine group. The term is
sometimes used to describe only fibrous Serpentine.

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 Bastite - Pseudomorph of Serpentine after Enstatite.
Williamsite - Translucent, light green Serpentine.
Picrolite - Columnar Serpentine.
Retinalite - Antigorite with a waxy luster.
Marmolite - Antigorite composed of small plates.
Ophiolite - Massive, mottled variety of Antigorite.
Bowenite - Variety of Chrysotile that is massive shaped, and contains
densely packed, colorless fibers.
In Group Silicates ; Phyllosilicates
All About Although Serpentine is composed of several minerals, a distinction is not
usually made between individual members. Occasionally, however,
members are individually described.

Fibrous Chrysotile, a type of asbestos, should never be brought near the

mouth. If its fibers or particles enter the lungs, they can cause asbestosis.
Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by inhalation of asbestos particles,
which causes several cancers, particularly lung cancer and mesothelioma
(an inoperable cancer of the chest and abdominal lining). Symptoms of
asbestosis do not arise until about 20 years after the inhalation. Washing
hands after handling specimens is highly recommended. Many mineral
collectors avoid collecting asbestos minerals because of the hazards.
Uses The finely fibrous variety of Chrysotile is the primary source for industrial
asbestos. It produces approximately 95 percent of all asbestos (the other 5
percent is amphibole asbestos, such as Tremolite and Actinolite).
Because it is not affected by fire and is a poor heat conductor, it is used for
fire retardant devices and heat protection. Its former use, which has been
outlawed in most areas, was as an insulator, but has been banned because
of its notorious nature of causing cancer and other long term illnesses.

Antigorite, as well as Serpentinite and Verd Antique, are often sculpted into
ornamental carvings. They are soft and easy to work with, and create
exceptional art. They are used as animal carvings, book ends, and the like.
Carved Serpentine, Serpentinite, and Verd Antique are only used as indoor
ornaments, since rain removes the polish.
Striking Greasy feel, soft compared to similar minerals, and may flexible and elastic.
Features
Popularity (1-4) 2
Prevalence (1-3) 1
Demand (1-3) 1
Distinguishing Talc - softer (1)
Similar Chlorite - softer (2 - 2½)
Minerals Tremolite and Actinolite Asbestos - harder (5 - 6), less flexible
Nephrite - harder, less greasy
Commonly Talc, Magnetite, Dolomite, Artinite, Olivine, Calcite, Magnesite.
Occurs With Amesite occurs with Diaspore.
Noteworthy Serpentine is a very common mineral, and is found worldwide. Some
Localities famous localities include The Lizard, Cornwall, England; the Antigorio
Valley, Piedmont, Italy; and Mount Olympus, Cyprus. The Jeffery Asbestos
Mine in Richmond Co., Quebec, is the most productive asbestos mine
providing great amounts of Chrysotile as well as many other minerals.

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 Thetford, in Megantic Co., Quebec has produced fine Chrysotile
specimens. In the U.S., large amounts of Serpentine were found in
Montville, Morris Co., and Hoboken, Hudson Co., New Jersey; Fresno,
Calaveras, San Benito, Mariposa, and Toulumne Cos., California; and Gila
Co., Arizona. In the Tilly Foster Mine, Brewster, Putnam Co., New York,
many minerals have been replaced by Serpentine, and large amounts of
Serpentine were found there. Other occurrences were at Newburyport,
Essex Co., Massachusetts; Antwerp, Gouverneur, and Balmat; St.
Lawrence Co., New York; and Staten Island (Richmond Co.), New York.

Other Serpentine varieties

Amesite is found in Chester, Hampden Co., Massachussetts, associated

with Diaspore. It also occurs in Dufek massif, in the Pensacola Mountains,
Antarctica.
Cronstedtite is found in Pribam and Kuttenberg, Bohemia, Czech
Republic. It also occurs in Wheal Maudin and Wheal Jane, Cornwall,
England, and in Congonhas de Campo, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Fraipontite is found in Vielle-Montague, Belgium and in the Silver Bell
mine, Gleeson, Cochise Co., Arizona. It is usually an alteration product of
Smithsonite.
Nepouite is found in the Nepoui Mine in New Caledonia. It is also found in
the 132 North nickel mine, Widgiemooltha, Western Australia and in
Letovice, Czech Republic. Nepouite is an important ore of nickel. It is often
called Garnierite, but that is not its proper scientific name.
Picture Icon
Links
1. 2.
Picture Links 1. Vein of Serpentine (Chrysotile) in rock
2. Chunk of a Serpentine (Chrysotile - variety Picrolite) vein