Lizardite

Lizardite natural mineral from dypingdal serpentine magnesite deposit snarum modum buskerud Norway Size- 5.7cm x 4cm x 2.1cm Weight- 49g You will receive the item in the photo Lizardite is a magnesium rich silicate mineral. Mineral class- Silicates Crystal system- Trigonal Hardness- 2.5-3.5 on the MOHs scale Rock formation- Formed during serpentinization,a process involving the low temperature fluid-driven hydrothermal or retrograde metamorphism of ultramafic igneous rocks. It replaces magnesium-rich minerals like olivine and pyroxene. Lizardite forms hand in hand with the tectonic hydration of earths mantle. When ultramafic rocks (like peridotite) interact with water at relatively low temperatures,olivine and pyroxene alter into serpentine group minerals. Lizardite represents the flat layered polymorph in this family (unlike chrysotile which rolls into fibrous tubes,or antigorite which forms wavy structures). This reaction results in the formation of the distinctive mottled green rock known as serpentinite.