Banded serpentine is a metamorphic mineral aggregate characterized by its layered appearance resulting from varying mineral inclusions. It is highly favored by lapidary artists for its softness, which makes it easy to carve, and its appealing range of earthy, variegated green tones.
Is this banded serpentine?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch banded serpentine with a known reference. Banded Serpentine sits at Mohs 2.5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Banded Serpentine leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Banded Serpentine typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green, dark green, black, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Banded Serpentine vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Jadeite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 2.5-5.5); luster reads waxy on Banded Serpentine and vitreous to pearly on Jadeite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Banded Serpentine and vitreous on Prehnite.
Often found alongside banded serpentine
Minerals reported to co-occur with banded serpentine. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-5.5
- Density
- 2.5-2.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Lapidary, Decorative, Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Rocks
- Typical price
- $5-30 for small cabochons or specimens
Where rockhounds find banded serpentine
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Italy
- USA
- China
- Afghanistan
- New Zealand
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic rocks country — that is the host setting where banded serpentine typically forms. If you start seeing chromite, magnetite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify banded serpentine?+
Where is banded serpentine found?+
Can I find banded serpentine in the United States?+
How much is banded serpentine worth?+
What rocks look like banded serpentine?+
What minerals are found with banded serpentine?+
What kind of rock does banded serpentine form in?+
What is banded serpentine used for?+
Find banded serpentine on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
