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    Ingredient guide · Ingredient reference

    Serpentine: a mineral formula is not a supplement specification

    A USGS spectral-library sample illustrates how a mineral description combines an ideal formula with observations and uncertainties about a real specimen.

    Read the evidence ↓

    Supplement Science Insights Editorial Team

    Published September 23, 2026

    What the source establishes

    The serpentine entry gives the formula Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 and describes a hydrous alteration mineral. Small amounts of iron and nickel may also be present. [1]

    The sample description discusses spectral features potentially associated with iron. It also acknowledges that some features could arise from residual unaltered amphibole rather than the serpentine itself. [1]

    What it does not establish

    The record reports no available X-ray-diffraction analysis and no compositional-analysis method for this entry. A formula therefore should not be read as a complete purity certificate. Geological magnesium content does not establish suitability as a nutritional ingredient. [1]

    A hypothetical distinction

    Imagine a specimen matches a mineral family while containing a second mineral. Its ideal formula does not describe every component of the sample.

    Key distinctions — Serpentine
    DetailInterpretation
    Ideal formulaMineral model
    Spectral featureInterpretation can be uncertain
    Nutritional suitabilityNot established
    Serpentine: a mineral formula is not a supplement specification — original article outline diagram
    Original editorial diagram of this article’s sections; no product photograph or clinical finding is depicted.

    Sources for this article

    1. USGS Spectroscopy Lab - Clark et. al. 2003 Spectral Library splib05a
      Source consulted: 2026-09-19. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.