Pink Serpentine is an uncommon color variant of the serpentine group, typically colored by trace amounts of manganese or chromium. It is usually found in massive, opaque forms that take a high polish, making it a favorite for lapidary artists. Collectors should look for its characteristic waxy luster and smooth feel, which are typical of all serpentine minerals.
Is this pink 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 pink serpentine with a known reference. Pink 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. Pink Serpentine leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pink Serpentine typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, lavender, rose.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Pink Serpentine vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Pink Serpentine and vitreous on Thulite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Pink Serpentine and vitreous on Rhodonite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Pink Serpentine and vitreous on Magnesite.
Often found alongside pink serpentine
Minerals reported to co-occur with pink 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
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Lapidary, Collector, Ornamental
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Rocks
- Typical price
- $5-30 per slab or small specimen
Where rockhounds find pink serpentine
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
- United States
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic rocks country, the host setting where pink 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 Texas. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find pink serpentine on the map
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