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Serpentine • Jade • Jadeite • Nephrite

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Serpentine is found all over the world.. It is made up of basic silicate of magnesium, iron, aluminum, nickel, zinc, and manganese. Colors range from black to brown, gray, green, purple, white, yellow and multicolored, especially green and yellow. 

 

Serpentine was named in 1564 by Georgius Agricola (Georg Bauer) from the Latin "serpens" = snake in allusion to the mottled green appearance of the mineral suggesting the resemblance to some snakes.

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The Serpentine group is composed of several related minerals. The most common are:

  • Antigorite: more solid forms

  • Chrysotile: usually fibrous forms that includes asbestos which is further sub-classified into four member minerals:

    • Clinochrysotile

    • Orthochrysotile

    • Parachrysotile  

    • Lizardite​

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