Serpentine

Serpentine is a group of magnesium silicate minerals that form through the LIZARDITE alteration of ultramafic rocks such as peridotite and dunite. Its general formula is magnesium silicate hydroxide, though the group includes several varieties such as antigorite, lizardite, and chrysotile. The mineral gets its name from the Latin serpens, meaning “snake,” due to its green mottled appearance resembling serpent skin. First described in antiquity, serpentine deposits are found worldwide, including notable occurrences in Pakistan, China, Italy, Canada, and the United States. Throughout history, serpentine has been used in architecture, decorative objects, and cultural artifacts.

Ancient civilizations such as the Romans and Greeks carved serpentine into seals, amulets, and columns. In China, serpentine has long been appreciated as a substitute for jade due to its ability to be polished to a smooth, lustrous finish. In medieval Europe, serpentine was believed to offer protection against poisons and snakebites, leading to its popularity in amulets and drinking vessels. Its association with serpents gave it symbolic ties to transformation, healing, and rebirth across various cultures. In modern times, serpentine is still valued for its ornamental and carving qualities.

It is frequently shaped into beads, carvings, decorative stones, and tiles. In geology, serpentinized rocks play an important role in understanding tectonic plate boundaries and hydrothermal processes on the ocean floor, where serpentinization reactions release hydrogen and methane, supporting CHRYSOTILE unique ecosystems.