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Serpentine

UNB-2016-0529Minerals » Silicates » Phyllosilicates

Description

Two cryptocrystalline samples of olive-green Serpentine. Serpentine ((Mg, Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4) can be olive-green, blackish to yellowish green, brown, yellow or white (rare). Lustre can be greasy, waxy or silky (Chrysotile) and streak is white. Hardness is 3 to 5. Usually occurs as massive that appears to be cryptocrystalline. Can also be fibrous (Chrysotile), lamellar or columnar.

Specifications

Object nameSerpentine
IDUNB-2016-0529
Legal statusPermanent collection
CategoryMineral
Classification
Mineral group:
Silicates
Sub-group:
Phyllosilicates
Composition
  • (Al,Fe2+,Fe3+Li,Mg,Mn,Ni)5−6(Al,Fe3+,Si)4(O,OH)18
  • K(Fe,Mg)3AlSi3O10(OH)2
  • (Mg,Fe2+)5Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)8
  • Various (e.g., Muscovite - KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2)
  • Al2Si2O5(OH)4
  • K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si,Rb)4O10(F,OH)2
  • Na2AlSi3O8·H2O
  • LiAlSi4O10
  • NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
  • D3[Si2O5](OH)4
  • Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
  • KAl2(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2
OriginHoboken, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Pieces2
PartialNo
Measurements
  • 1.6cm x 6.8cm x 1.4cm
  • 1.7cm x 7cm x 2cm

Map of Origin

Publications

  • Chesterman, C.W. 1979. Audubon Society, Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. Knopf.