Antigorite, serpentine var.

Antigorite, serpentine var.

This specimen, known as "precious serpentine" is a sub-species of antigorite, which in turn is one of several minerals in the serpentine family. In common with all polymorphs of serpentine it has the formula of (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4) Precious serpentine is so named because it can be fashioned into jewellery or carved ornaments. It was collected by Jim Nicholls, co-founder of the club, from Sailors Gulley, Mt.Crawford, in south Australia, while working there.