Lizardite Serpentine Rock - Dark Angular Specimen

Serpentinite rocks are metamorphic rocks that have undergone a process called serpentinization, which replaces certain minerals like olivine and pyroxene with serpentine minerals, namely antigorite, chrysotile, and lizardite. They are often characterized by their striking visual similarity to reptilian skin, especially the lizardite variety. This particular variety is found in a few small mines in Nyanga, Eastern Zimbabwe, though some more strongly yellow coloured ones may be from Shamva, north of Harare. These kinds of mines are really just local villagers digging by hand in small areas for income, without much, if any, machinery, and hence are not really environmentally taxing.   Due to their uniform structure and soft nature, they are often used in the local sculpture works. This style of polished lizardite serpentine stones are rather rare on the market.   Geology: Serpentine is the name for a group of minerals following a general formula, mainly including magnesium, silicon, and