The word serpentine has been derived from ”Serpent”, which means greenish. Serpentines are so called because of their green colors. Serpentine occurs in two distinct forms: (i) ”Antigorite”; a platy variety, and (ii) ”Chrysolite; a fibrous variety.
Minerals species of Serpentine Group:
- Amesite: Chemical composition of Amesite is Mg2Al2SiO5(OH)4., however if an Amesite has Ni instead of Mg, it will be included in the Ni-Serpentine subgroup.
- Antigorite: Antigorite is a platy variety of serpentine minerals.
- Cronstedtite: It is a complex iron silicate mineral belonging to the serpentine group of minerals. Its chemical formula is Fe 2+ 2Fe 3+ (Si,Fe 3+. O 5)(OH) 4.
- Chrysotile: The fibrous form of serpentine group, which is used as a source of asbestos. Asbestos are used as fire-proofing and insulatory material in the buildings.
- Guidottiite: it is black in colour. Its is enriched with Manganese instead of Magnesium. Its chemical formula is Mn2Fe3+(SiFe3+)O5(OH)4. It is the first mineral of serpentine group discovered manganese constituent.
- Lizardite: It belongs to Jade Serpentine Group, which is used in carving.
Varieties of Serpentine Subgroup:
| Bastite | Name for pseudomorphs of serpentine-group minerals after enstatite. |
| Marmolite | Light green pearly serpentine, which may show a somewhat laminated fracture pattern. |
| Metaxite (of de Fourestier) | Variously described as a variety of antigorite or chrysotile. |
| Ni-Serpentine | A name for artificial serpentine-group minerals with Ni replacing Mg. Essentially Ni-rich antigorite or amesite. |
| Nickeliferous Serpentine | A nickel-bearing variety of serpentine. |
| Pelhamine | |
| Picrolite | Columnar or coarsely fibrous (non-asbestiform) variety of serpentine, commonly referred to as a variety of antigorite but may be other species. |
| Radiotine | A name for serpentine occurring in spherical aggregates of radiating fibers. |
| Retinalite | Honey-yellow to light green, massive, sometimes gem-quality, serpentine. |
| Ricolite | A variety of serpentine interbanded with talc. |
| Serpentinasbest | Asbestiform varieties of “serpentine”, i.e., members of the serpentine group (usually chrysotile). |
| Serpentine Jade | A dense cryptocristalline mixture of serpentine group minerals, mainly antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite, which is used for carving. It also contains a variety of minor impurities such as chlorite, ilmenite, magnetite and talc. Technically, this materi… |
Antigorite and Chrysotile: (Mg,Fe2+)3Si2O5(OH)4
Physical properties:
- Crystal System: Minerals of the Serpentine group have a monoclinic crystal system.
- Cleavage: Though they are found in platy and fibrous form, therefore the platy variety has a good basal cleavage, while the fibrous variety has not cleavage.
- Hardness: Mineral of the serpentine group have a variable hardness between 4-4 as per Moh’s scale.
- Sp.Gr: The minerals have low specific gravity i.e. 2.5-2.6.
- Lustre: The fibrous variety of serpentine has silky lustre, while the massive/platy forms have greasy lustre.
- Colours: The minerals of Serpentine have green and brown colours with various shades.
- Habit: Lamellar, platy/massive, and fibrous habits. Chrysotile variety has a fibrous habit.
Occurrence of Serpentine Minerals:
Serpentine is usually formed by the alteration of magnesium silicates such as olivine, pyroxene, and amphibole. It is found associated with magnesite, chromite, and magnetite. Serpentine is a rock, which is made up mostly of the variety antigorite. It is formed by the alteration of olivine-bearing rocks.
Uses of Serpentine:
- The chrysotile variety of serpentine is the chief source of asbestos. Asbestos products are used for fire-proofing and as an insulation material against heat and electricity.
- Serpentines are used as a major source of magnesium.
- Serpentines are also used as decorative stones in the building.
- Guidottiite is a member of the Serpentine group, which is used in cosmetics to add “shimmer” or “frost.”
- Ricolite is used as an architectural material and ornamental stone and for decorative purposes.
Also read:
- Minerals of Chlorite Group
- Minerals of Garnet Group
- Minerals of Olivine Group
- Minerals of Mica Group
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