SERPENTINE
Specimen ser-4

Dims: 10-5/8" x 6-1/2" x 3-1/2"

Wt: 5 lbs,. 4 oz

unknown

This mineral is known as Chrysotile, a fibrous variety of the mineral Serpentine. This piece in particular is compact and fibrous, ranging in color from light to dark green. The fibers are difficult to separate from the mass, and though classified as an asbestos, this mineral poses no health hazards, as it is Tremolite Asbestos that is the more dangerous variety. This specimen is the type that is a very common mineral, but not very many collectors have a sample of. We hope to change that.

Dims: 4" x 1-7/8" x 1"

Wt: 2.6 oz

Chestnut Hill, Easton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Not only have I never seen one of these specimens before, I never heard of such a transformation occurring! This specimen is a Serpentine pseudomorph after biotite; it's variety name is Eastonite, most likely named after Easton, the town in which this mineral was found. It looks a lot like a muscovite book, but is a little bit less "micaceous" looking, and looking at the sides perpendicular to its basal faces, some parts of it look definitely like serpentine. Bizarre!

Dims: 5.0 x 3.1 x 2.1" (12.6 x 7.8 x 5.4 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 7.5 oz. (665 g)

Gila County, Arizona, U.S.A.

This display-size specimen consists entirely of Serpentine, in alternating massive and compact, fibrous layers. All have a dull green coloration; the massive and fibrous materials have corresponding dull and pearly lusters, respectively. No actual crystals are visible, and other than a spot of damage on one side, the piece is in excellent condition.

Dims:5.2x3.1x1.4" (13.2x7.9x3.6 cm)

Wt: 14.7oz. (418g)

Thetford, Quebec, Canada

This is a specimen of the mineral serpentine, variety chrysotile. It is extremely fibrous in nature. The reflection of light from the face of this specimen is quite pleasing. In fact, when chrysotile is pseudomorphed by quartz, it is known as the popular "tiger eye". There is no noticable damage to this specimen. Chrysotile fibers are the closest thing to actual crystals that serpentine ever achieves.