Serpentine

A magnesium-rich silicate mineral occurring in a number of forms and used for decorative work as they vary widely in color and take on a high polish. Sources are known in the British Isles, Ireland, Canada, US, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. Serpentine minerals were also used in making fine stone tools and vessels as well as jewelry and architectural decoration.

A mineral occurring in a number of forms. Rocks largely composed of this mineral should properly be called serpentinites, but are often also called serpentines. These rocks are used as a material for decorative work. They vary widely in colour, but the most commonly used varieties are green. Sources are known in Cornwall, Banffshire, Anglesey and Shetland in the British Isles, Ireland, Canada, USA, New Zealand and Afghanistan. The serpentine at the Lizard, Cornwall, was the source of one group of stone axes, used during the Neolithic.