Lemon Serpentine
Other Silicates & Gemstones
Lemon serpentine is a catalogue or trade name for pale yellow-green massive serpentine, not a separate mineral species. Serpentine is a group of hydrous magnesium-iron sheet silicates commonly formed when ultramafic rocks are altered by water.
Identity
- Material or variety
- Serpentine-group minerals
- Scientific or material identity
- Serpentine-group material
- Classification
- Natural mineral or mineral variety
- Composition or formula
- Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
- Crystal system or structure
- Aggregate or composite structure
- Geological or manufacturing origin
- Forms or recrystallizes under metamorphic heat and pressure.
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5 to 5.5
Origins
Canada · China · New Caledonia · USA
Appearance & optical properties
soft lemon-yellow-green serpentine with waxy luster.
History & discovery
The group name serpentine comes from the Latin serpentinus, referring to snake-like colours or patterns. In the catalogue name, lemon describes the stone's yellow-green colour rather than a distinct mineral composition.
Uses & care
- Common uses
- Compact serpentine is shaped into beads, cabochons, small carvings, spheres, and other decorative objects.
Jewellery
5 pieces of Lemon Serpentine jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.
Lemon Serpentine Ring
Ring
A smooth oval cabochon of pale yellow-green serpentine with a soft waxy sheen, set low in silver.
Meadow Bead Bracelet
Bracelet
Round lemon-serpentine beads strung on gold wire, warm and mottled like spring grass.
Serpentine Locket
Pendant
An oval locket faced with a lemon-serpentine cabochon and bordered by an engraved vine.
Lemon Peel Earrings
Earrings
An imagined pair of earrings of lemon serpentine, pale lemon yellow netted with dark lines like the skin of the fruit.
Coiled Serpent Brooch
Brooch
An imagined brooch of a coiled serpent, its body inlaid with lemon serpentine, the stone named for its snakeskin look.