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 — that is 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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