Serpentine
Antigorite
China
6.76 carats
© Rarestone.com
The name derived from Greek word for a serpent, because of the serpent-like mottled and scaley appearance of the rock that contained it.
Some serpentines are widely employed as Jade simulants.
See also: Verd Antique, a serpentinite breccia.
Serpentine Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Serpentine Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Serpentine gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:4.16 cts
Heaviest:122.8 cts
Average:27.62 cts
Total photos:31
Do you have a larger Serpentine? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Varieties/Types: | Antigorite - A hard compact type of Serpentine. Bowenite - Apple-green variety of Antigorite. Williamsite - Oil-green variety of Antigorite. Bastite - Pseudomorphs of Serpentine after Enstatite. Chrysotile - A fibrous type of Serpentine. Infinite - A mixture of Serpentine and Chrysotile. | |||||||||||||||||
| Chemical Formula |
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| Physical Properties of Serpentine | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 2.5 to 5.5, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.44 to 2.62, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | None, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Fracture | Uneven,Splintery, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Serpentine | ||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.560 to 1.571, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Biaxial/-, Gemmological Tables (2004) | |||||||||||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.008 to 0.014, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Pleochroism | Absent, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Dispersion | None, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Colour | ||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Green, yellowish-green, white, yellow-brown, red-brown, black, Gemmological Tables (2004) Sometimes bandedMore from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Translucent,Opaque, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Greasy, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Serpentine | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Monoclinic, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Microcrystalline, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Serpentine information at mindat.org | |||||||||||||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | ||||||||||||||||||
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