Serpentine is a common mineral group with a relative hardness of 4. It is usually an alteration product of some magnesium silicate, especially olivine, pyroxene, and amphibole. It is frequently associated with magnesite, chromite, and magnetite. Two varieties are antigorite (massive) and chrysotile (fibrous; also called asbestos). It has the formulae Mg6(Si4O10) (OH)8.
Related terms: