Serpentine
Reference articles are in English.
Serpentinite from the Underhill Formation, a rock containing serpentine minerals. Source
Description
Serpentine is a group of magnesium-silicate minerals. Rock rich in these minerals is often called serpentinite, while sculptors and the stone trade also use serpentine as a material name. Green tones, dark mottling and pale veins are common, with considerable variation between sources.
History
Serpentine-rich rocks develop through geological alteration. In decorative stonework some have been sold as green marble, although their mineral composition differs from carbonate marble. This commercial naming history can complicate the identification of older objects.
Commissioning
A carver familiar with the material should assess the proposed block, veins and condition. The finish and final setting should be agreed early. A particular quarry stone should be evaluated on its own characteristics, rather than assigned the properties of every serpentine-rich material.