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Serpentine Subgroup

A group of related mineral species
This page kindly sponsored by Scott W. Bailey
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About Serpentine SubgroupHide

Formula:
D3[Si2O5](OH)4
D = Mg, Fe, Ni, Mn, Al, Zn
Name:
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.
Serpentine is a subgroup of the Kaolinite-Serpentine Group, usually trioctahedral, with divalent cations dominating in octahedrally coordinated sites.

The most common species are all Mg-dominant: lizardite, chrysotile and antigorite. They are chemically similar to talc (Mg-poorer, with Mg:Si = 3:4).
Serpentine minerals are the major components of the rock serpentinite.

One of six "minerals" proposed to be essential for life emergence (Russell & Ponce, 2020).


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
11135
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:11135:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
e16c41ee-7458-4d7d-8426-6003359faf55

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference
SrpIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
SrpKretz (1983)Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279.
SrpSiivolam & Schmid (2007)Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download
SrpWhitney & Evans (2010)Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371
SrpThe Canadian Mineralogist (2019)The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download
SrpWarr (2020)Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30

Chemistry of Serpentine SubgroupHide

Mindat Formula:
D3[Si2O5](OH)4

D = Mg, Fe, Ni, Mn, Al, Zn

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0000809AmesiteAnderson C S, Bailey S W (1981) A new cation ordering pattern in amesite-2H2 American Mineralogist 66 185-1951981Saranovskoye chromite deposit, North Urals Mountains, USSR0293
0001361AmesiteWiewiora A, Rausell Colom J A, Garcia Gonzalez T (1991) The crystal structure of amesite from Mount Sobotka: a nonstandard polytype American Mineralogist 76 647-6521991Mount Sobotka, lower Silesia, Poland0293
0018742AmesiteSteadman R, Nuttall P M (1962) The crystal structure of amesite Acta Crystallographica 15 510-5111962Saranovskaye, USSR0293
0018811AmesiteZheng H, Bailey S W (1997) Refinement of an amesite-2H1 polytype from Postmasburg, South Africa Clays and Clay Minerals 45 301-3101997Postmasburg, South Africa0293
0019082AntigoriteDodony I, Posfai M, Buseck P R (2002) Revised structure models for antigorite: An HRTEM study American Mineralogist 87 1443-145720020293
0019083AntigoriteDodony I, Posfai M, Buseck P R (2002) Revised structure models for antigorite: An HRTEM study American Mineralogist 87 1443-145720020293
0019084AntigoriteDodony I, Posfai M, Buseck P R (2002) Revised structure models for antigorite: An HRTEM study American Mineralogist 87 1443-145720020293
0003192AntigoriteCapitani G, Mellini M (2004) The modulated crystal structure of antigorite: The m = 17 polysome American Mineralogist 89 147-15820040293
0004123AntigoriteCapitani G C, Mellini M (2006) The crystal structure of a second antigorite polysome (m = 16), by single-crystal synchrotron diffraction American Mineralogist 91 394-39920060293
0005589AntigoriteUehara S (1998) TEM and XRD study of antigorite superstructures The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1595-160519980293
0019917ChrysotileFalini G, Foresti E, Gazzano M, Gualtieri A F, Leoni M, Lesci I G, Roveri N (2004) Tubular-shaped stoichiometric chrysotile nanocrystals Chemistry - A European Journal 10 3043-30492004synthetic0293
0000022CronstedtiteHendricks S B (1939) Random structures of layer minerals as illustrated by cronstedtite (2FeO.Fe2O3.SiO2.2H2O). Possible iron content of kaolin American Mineralogist 24 529-53919390293
0007145CronstedtiteHybler J (2006) Parallel intergrowths in cronstedtite-1T: determination of the degree of disorder European Journal of Mineralogy 18 197-2052006Herja, Romania0293
0007146CronstedtiteHybler J (2006) Parallel intergrowths in cronstedtite-1T: determination of the degree of disorder European Journal of Mineralogy 18 197-2052006Lostwithiel, England0293
0007147CronstedtiteHybler J (2006) Parallel intergrowths in cronstedtite-1T: determination of the degree of disorder European Journal of Mineralogy 18 197-2052006Roznava, Slovakia0293
0007148CronstedtiteHybler J (2006) Parallel intergrowths in cronstedtite-1T: determination of the degree of disorder European Journal of Mineralogy 18 197-2052006Litosice, Czech Republic0293
0000867LizarditeMellini M (1982) The crystal structure of lizardite 1T: hydrogen bonds and polytypism American Mineralogist 67 587-59819820293
0001113LizarditeMellini M, Zanazzi P F (1987) Crystal structures of lizardite-1T and lizardite-2H1 from Coli, Italy American Mineralogist 72 943-94819870293
0001114LizarditeMellini M, Zanazzi P F (1987) Crystal structures of lizardite-1T and lizardite-2H1 from Coli, Italy American Mineralogist 72 943-94819870293
0001690LizarditeMellini M, Viti C (1994) Crystal structure of lizardite-1T from Elba, Italy American Mineralogist 79 1194-119819940293
0001691LizarditeMellini M, Viti C (1994) Crystal structure of lizardite-1T from Elba, Italy American Mineralogist 79 1194-119819940293
0001834LizarditeGregorkiewitz M, Lebech B, Mellini M, Viti C (1996) Hydrogen positions and thermal expansion in lizardite-1T from Elba: A low-temperature study using Rietveld refinement of neutron diffraction data American Mineralogist 81 1111-1116199608
0001942LizarditeBrigatti M F, Galli E, Medici L, Poppi L (1997) Crystal structure refinement of aluminian lizardite-2H2 American Mineralogist 82 931-93519970293
0005583LizarditeGuggenheim S, Zhan W (1998) Effect of temperature on the structures of lizardite-1T and lizardite-2H1 The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1587-159419980293
0005584LizarditeGuggenheim S, Zhan W (1998) Effect of temperature on the structures of lizardite-1T and lizardite-2H1 The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1587-159419980293
0005585LizarditeGuggenheim S, Zhan W (1998) Effect of temperature on the structures of lizardite-1T and lizardite-2H1 The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1587-159419980293
0005586LizarditeGuggenheim S, Zhan W (1998) Effect of temperature on the structures of lizardite-1T and lizardite-2H1 The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1587-159419980293
0005587LizarditeGuggenheim S, Zhan W (1998) Effect of temperature on the structures of lizardite-1T and lizardite-2H1 The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1587-159419980293
0005588LizarditeGuggenheim S, Zhan W (1998) Effect of temperature on the structures of lizardite-1T and lizardite-2H1 The Canadian Mineralogist 36 1587-159419980293
0018972LizarditeLaurora A, Brigatti M F, Malferrari D, Galli E, Rossi A (2011) The crystal chemistry of lizardite-1T from northern Apennines ophiolites near Modena, Italy The Canadian Mineralogist 49 1045-10542011Pompeano, Modena Apennines, Italy0293
0018973LizarditeLaurora A, Brigatti M F, Malferrari D, Galli E, Rossi A (2011) The crystal chemistry of lizardite-1T from northern Apennines ophiolites near Modena, Italy The Canadian Mineralogist 49 1045-10542011Pompeano, Modena Apennines, Italy0293
0018974LizarditeLaurora A, Brigatti M F, Malferrari D, Galli E, Rossi A (2011) The crystal chemistry of lizardite-1T from northern Apennines ophiolites near Modena, Italy The Canadian Mineralogist 49 1045-10542011Sassomorello, Modena Apennines, Italy0293
0018975LizarditeLaurora A, Brigatti M F, Malferrari D, Galli E, (2011) The crystal chemistry of lizardite-1T from north Apennines ophiolites near Modena, Italy The Canadian Mineralogist 49 1045-10542011Varana, Modena Apennines, Italy0293
0018976LizarditeLaurora A, Brigatti M F, Malferrari D, Galli E, (2011) The crystal chemistry of lizardite-1T from north Apennines ophiolites near Modena, Italy The Canadian Mineralogist 49 1045-10542011Varana, Modena Apennines, Italy0293
0018977LizarditeLaurora A, Brigatti M F, Malferrari D, Galli E, (2011) The crystal chemistry of lizardite-1T from north Apennines ophiolites near Modena, Italy The Canadian Mineralogist 49 1045-10542011Santa Scolastica, Modena Apennines, Italy0293
0006338LizarditeMellini M, Zanazzi P F (1989) Effects of pressure on the structure of lizardite-1T European Journal of Mineralogy 1 13-191989Coli, Italy0.7293
0006339LizarditeMellini M, Zanazzi P F (1989) Effects of pressure on the structure of lizardite-1T European Journal of Mineralogy 1 13-191989Val Sissone1.25293
0009030LizarditeAuzende A L, Pellenq R J M, Devouard B, Baronnet A, Grauby O (2006) Atomistic calculations of structural and elastic properties of serpentine minerals: the case of lizardite using semi-empirical potentials Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 33 266-27520060293
0018323GuidottiiteWahle M W, Bujnowski T J, Guggenheim S, Kogure T (2010) Guidottiite, the Mn-analogue of cronstedtite: A new serpentine-group mineral from South Africa Clays and Clay Minerals 58 364-3762010N'chwaning 2 mine, Kalahari manganese field, South Africa0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

Synonyms of Serpentine SubgroupHide

Other Language Names for Serpentine SubgroupHide

Varieties of Serpentine SubgroupHide

BastiteName for pseudomorphs of serpentine-group minerals after enstatite.
MarmoliteLight green pearly serpentine which may show a somewhat laminated fracture pattern.
Metaxite (of de Fourestier)Variously described as a variety of antigorite or chrysotile.
Ni-SerpentineA name for artificial serpentine-group minerals with Ni replacing Mg.
Essentially Ni-rich antigorite or amesite.
Nickel-bearing SerpentineA nickel-bearing variety of serpentine.
Pelhamine
PicroliteColumnar or coarsely fibrous (non-asbestiform) variety of serpentine, commonly referred to as a variety of antigorite but may be other species.
RadiotineA name for serpentine occurring in spherical aggregates of radiating fibers.
RetinaliteHoney-yellow to light green, massive, sometimes gem-quality, serpentine.
RicoliteA variety of serpentine interbanded with talc.
SerpentinasbestAsbestiform varieties of "serpentine", i.e., members of the serpentine group (usually chrysotile).
Serpentine JadeA dense cryptocristalline mixture of serpentine group minerals, mainly antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite, which is used for carving. It also contains a variety of minor impurities such as chlorite, ilmenite, magnetite and talc. Technically, this materi...

Relationship of Serpentine Subgroup to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of this group:
Greenalite(Fe2+,Fe3+)2-3Si2O5(OH)4Mon.
Kaolinite SubgroupAl2Si2O5(OH)4
ManandoniteLi2Al4(Si2AlB)O10(OH)8Orth. 2 2 2 : C2 2 21
Odinite(Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti,Mn)2.4((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4Mon. m : Bm
Group Members:
Amesite Mg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4Tric. 1 : P1
Antigorite Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4Mon. m : Bm
Berthierine (Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4Mon. m : Bm
Brindleyite (Ni,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4Mon.
Caryopilite Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4Mon.
Chrysotile Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4Mon. m : Bb
Cronstedtite Fe2+2Fe3+((Si,Fe3+)2O5)(OH)4Trig. 3m : P3 1m
Fraipontite (Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4Mon.
Guidottiite Mn2Fe3+(Fe3+SiO5)(OH)4Hex. 6 : P63
Kellyite Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4Hex. 6 : P63
Lizardite Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4Trig. 3m : P3 1m
Népouite Ni3Si2O5(OH)4Orth.
Pecoraite Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4Mon.

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Serpentine Subgroup in petrologyHide

Internet Links for Serpentine SubgroupHide

References for Serpentine SubgroupHide

Reference List:

Localities for Serpentine SubgroupHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListShow

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