Antigorite, and its serpentine polymorphs, play an important role in subduction zone dynamics due to their relative weakness and high weight percent of water (up to 13 weight % H2O).[3][4] It is named after its type locality, the Geisspfad serpentinite, Valle Antigorio in the border region of Italy/Switzerland[5] and is commonly used as a gemstone in jewelry and carvings.