Verd-antique

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Refractive Index : 1.570 – 1.560 (+ 0.004 – 0.070)

Optical Characteristic : DR, AGG

Specific Gravity : 2.57 (+ 0.23 – 0.13)

Formula : (Mg,Fe,Ni)3Si2O5(OH)4

Crystal System : Monoclinic

Variety/Species : Verd-antique

Species/Group : Serpentine Group

Birefringence : None

Dispersion : None

Hardness : 2.5 to 6

Toughness : Poor

Ultrasonic : Never

Steam : Risky

UV Long : Inert to weak

UV Short : Inert

Pleochroism : None

Strength : N/A

Pleochroism Colors : None

Heat : Fusible

Acids : Attacked by acids and/or chemicals

Light : Stable

Polish Luster : Waxy to vitreous

Fracture : Granular to uneven

Fracture Luster : Waxy to dull

Clarity Type : N/A

Tones : N/A

Saturations : N/A

Cause of Color : Iron, chromium, nickel

Enhancements : Dyeing, wax impregnation

Cleavage : Perfect in 1 direction

Color Range : Green, dark green, dark mottled or veined green

Transparency : Semitranslucent to opaque

Phenomena : Chatoyancy (very weak)

Separations : Verd-antique from-
Chalcedony : Fracture, spectrum, hardness, RI(possibly), SG(possibly)Nephrite : RI, SG, hardness(possibly)Variscite : appearance, color filter, spectrum, hardness(possibly)
Green

Turquoise : appearance, RI, spectrum, hardness(possibly)

Jadeite : RI, SG, spectrum

Identifying Characteristics and information
Black chromite octahedra inclusions; white veins; moss-like inclusions; polish often poor,showing scratches.Mostly used for counterops or building facings or other ornamental products

Spectral Data
Not diagnostic

Trade Names and Misnomers
Verd-antique

Tags: Serpentine Group, Verd-antique