Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller

Mineral Information on:
serpentine

Chemical Group: silicate

Chemical Formula:  H₄Mg₃Si₂O₉

Color:  leek green, blackish green, brownish red, brownish yellow, gray

Streak:  white                             Feels smooth to greasy

Hardness:  2.5 to 4        Specific Gravity:  2.5 to 2.65         Fracture:  conchoidal or splintery

Cleavage:  one direction, sometimes distinct

Transparency:  translucent to opaque

Crystal Forms:  Monoclinic system
     Crystals only occur as pseudomorphs
     Occurs foliated, fibrous, fine granular, or cryptocrystalline

Mineral Associations:

Identifying Characteristics:  greenish color, fibrous structure

Uses:  The variety chrysotile is asbestos and is used for fire-proof fabrics.

Occurrences:  a metamorphic material 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed-                            when inhaled-high

Additional Information: