Ophicarbonate
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Description
A mixed rock that contains of serpentine (magnesium silicate) and calcite (calcium carbonate) cemented together with red iron oxide (ferrous oxide). Ophicarbonate stones have fragments of red, white and green colors. The stones polish to a high gloss, which has led to them being occasionally mislabeled as marble. However, the ophicarbonate rocks are fragile and unsuited for sculpture because of their multicomponent structure.
Synonyms and Related Terms
antique green; Levanto red