Crystal-chemical analyses of the serpentine polymorphs, sampled from macroscopic veins in the serpentinite rocks from Sasso della Mantesca and Sasso di S. Zanobi, are reported. The samples were examined by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (TG and DTG), scanning and transmission electron microscopy, IR absorption spectroscopy, microprobe, and chemical tests.

The results show: chrysotile 2Or_c1 in tubular fibrils placed perpendicularly to walls of iso-oriented ‘lenticular veins’; and polygonal serpentine formed by flat layers of lizardite 2H and/or 1T, arranged as an outer shell of a central core of chrysotile 2M_c1 fibres; this type of serpentine with high crystallinity and unusual morphological development is included in ‘green veins’, which show variable Al, Fe, and Mg contents.

A genetic mechanism correlating the petrographic observations with the mineralogical results is discussed.