Comparison · Silicate Minerals vs Metamorphic Rocks
Serpentine vs Serpentinite
Serpentine and Serpentinite are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 3.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Serpentine and Serpentinite
- Both sit near Mohs 3.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Serpentine is translucent, Serpentinite is Opaque, translucent in thin splinters.
- They overlap in green, yellow, and black, but Serpentine also comes in white and Serpentinite also comes in multicolored.
Serpentine vs Serpentinite properties
| Property | Serpentine | Serpentinite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Silicate Minerals | Metamorphic Rocks |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5 | 2.5–4 |
| Luster | greasy | Greasy, waxy, silky |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | translucent | Opaque, translucent in thin splinters |
| Specific gravity | 2.6 | 2.5–2.6 |
| Crystal system | monoclinic | — |
| Common colors | Green, Yellowish green, Olive, Black, White | Green, Dark green, Yellowish green, Mottled green and black |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$250+ | $1–$75+ |
Which is more valuable?
Serpentine is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $40 against $10 for Serpentinite, and premium Serpentine can reach $250 or more.
About Serpentine
Serpentine is a group of green, magnesium-rich silicate minerals that includes antigorite, lizardite, and chrysotile. It commonly occurs as massive, greasy-feeling rock in mottled green tones and is the main component of the rock serpentinite.
About Serpentinite
Serpentinite is a metamorphic rock composed largely of serpentine group minerals, chiefly antigorite, chrysotile, and lizardite, formed through the hydrothermal alteration of olivine-rich ultramafic rock. The reaction, called serpentinization, occurs when water reacts with peridotite or dunite at moderate temperatures, releasing heat and hydrogen while transforming the rock's mineralogy and texture. Its mottled green surface, often resembling snakeskin, gives the rock its name.
Serpentine vs Serpentinite FAQ
Is Serpentine the same as Serpentinite?
No. Serpentine is a silicate mineral while Serpentinite is a metamorphic rock. Both sit near Mohs 3.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Serpentine from Serpentinite?
Both sit near Mohs 3.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Hold a thin edge to the light: Serpentine is translucent, Serpentinite is Opaque, translucent in thin splinters. They overlap in green, yellow, and black, but Serpentine also comes in white and Serpentinite also comes in multicolored.
Which is harder, Serpentine or Serpentinite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 3.5.
Which is more valuable, Serpentine or Serpentinite?
Serpentine is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $40 against $10 for Serpentinite, and premium Serpentine can reach $250 or more.
