TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Antigorita (serpentinita)

Antigorita (serpentinita) is a mineral with formula (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4, in the Filosilicatos group. This specimen comes from Pedreira, Serra da Colada, A Coruña, Galicia, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.

Antigorita (serpentinita) from Pedreira, Serra da Colada, A Coruña, Galicia, España — Terrium

Description

Flattened, translucent plate of serpentinite with laminar habit and irregular fracture. Greyish-green with yellowish tones, showing the typical tile- or slab-like texture characteristic of the serpentinites of Cabo Ortegal.

History of this specimen

Second collection at the same spot I marked with Óscar in the Serra da Colada. It is one of the plates or 'tiles' we left marked for future visits.

About Antigorita (serpentinita)

Antigorite is the most stable variety in the serpentine series and is one of the principal minerals in serpentinites. It forms by hydration of olivine and pyroxene in mantle peridotites.

About the locality

Cabo Ortegal is a rare surface ophiolite exposure, where serpentinites show the transformation of ultramafic rocks in contact with hydrothermal fluids.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0270
Internal reference
T0005
Composition
(Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4
Name
Antigorita (serpentinita)
Group
Filosilicatos
Mine
Pedreira
District / Municipality
Serra da Colada
Province
A Coruña
Region
Galicia
Country
España
Size (cm)
9 x 6 x 1.5
Weight
60 g
Acquired
2025
Etymology
The name derives from the locality of Antigorio (Piedmont, Italy), where it was first described.
Quality
Buena
Value trend
Estable

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