Serpentine is a group of minerals, not one stone, and much of what is sold as new jade is serpentine, often dyed. It is softer than true jade and has a waxy green look.
Phyllosilicate (serpentine group)
Serpentine
Serpentina
- Palette
- Green Yellow White Gray
- Mined in
- United States, Canada, New Caledonia, Italy, Greece, Russia
- Hardness
- Mohs 2.5–4.0 ?
- See-through
- translucent
- Known since
- 1840
- Named for
- Latin serpentinus, snake-like, for its scaly green look
- Also sold as
- new jade, false jade, bowenite, Suzhou jade, Styrian jade
- Intention
- Protection
- Looking for
- Protection
- Water
- Keep it dry; wipe with a soft cloth
- Dye or finish
- Serpentine beads are often dyed or waxed. Bowenite, sold as new jade, is sometimes dyed to pass for jade.
Not in our pieces now
1965
California's legislature named serpentine the official state rock in 1965.
13% WATER
The serpentine mineral antigorite is about 13 percent water by weight.
60 METERS
At the Lost City hydrothermal field, vents on serpentinite build chimneys up to 60 meters (200 feet) tall.
What it is
A waxy green stone, from pale yellow-green to deep green, often mottled or veined, with a smooth, slightly scaly look that gave it its name. Serpentine is a group of minerals, not a single stone. Much 'new jade' sold in bead strands is serpentine, often dyed, and it is softer than true jade.
What gives it its color
Serpentine's greens come mainly from iron, with small amounts of chromium and nickel in some stones, and black flecks of chromite or magnetite show up in some. Some serpentine is dyed to pass for jade.
Where it comes from
Serpentine occurs in many places, including New Caledonia, Quebec, northern California, the Ural Mountains of Russia, Italy, Greece and the United Kingdom.
In history
The Romans prized verd antique, a green serpentine breccia quarried at Casambala near Larissa in Greece, and Justinian's Hagia Sophia in Constantinople and San Vitale in Ravenna have columns of it. A serpentine dish inlaid with gold fish survives from the 1st century BC or 1st century AD, and the town of Bhera in Punjab long carved Afghan serpentine into cups and dagger hilts.
What's said about it
In older gem lore, Italian peasants kept green serpentine pebbles as a guard against venomous creatures. The name comes from the stone's likeness to a serpent's skin.
Serpentine is also one of the oldest carved stones. Ancient Mesopotamians cut seals from black and green serpentine.
People wear it as jewelry or keep it in a pocket, and handle it gently.
How people wear or keep it: On the wrist, in a pocket, or on a desk.
In crystal practice
In the crystal tradition, serpentine is paired with the heart chakra, so practitioners rest it there during meditation or lie down with it in place for a few quiet minutes. Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: on the wrist, in a pocket, on a desk. People reach for it when they want protection, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
The chakra and star sign this stone is usually matched with. These are popular traditions, not facts about the stone.
ChakraHeart
ZodiacGemini
ElementEarth
Also callednew jade, false jade, bowenite
Care
- Soft; it scratches and chips, so keep it apart from other stones.
- Wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry; avoid soaking and ultrasonic cleaners.
- Dyed pieces can lose color, so keep away from solvents, perfume and hot water.
- Keep from acids, which attack it, and never sand or grind it, because chrysotile serpentine is an asbestos mineral and its dust is a hazard.
How to tell what you have
- Serpentine is a softer green stone (about 2.5 to 4, bowenite 5.5) with a waxy or greasy feel, often with cloudy white patches.
- It is sold as new jade or false jade. It scratches more easily than true jade, and dye may fade or pool at the drill hole.
What sets the price
Price follows how deep and attractive the green is, how translucent and fine-grained the stone is, and how well it takes a polish; lime-green or jade-like material is scarcer. Some serpentine is dyed to look like jade, so a very bright green is worth a question.
Rules and sourcing
Serpentine beads are often dyed or waxed, and bowenite sold as new jade is sometimes dyed to pass for jade. The FTC jewelry guides call for disclosing dye or wax. Serpentine includes chrysotile, an asbestos mineral under US law, though the platy serpentine usually cut into beads is not fibrous. Finished beads are fine to wear, but do not grind, sand, drill or cut them without dust protection.
Questions people ask at our table
What is serpentine?
A group of magnesium silicate minerals, mainly antigorite, lizardite and chrysotile. The name comes from the Latin for snake-like, for its green, scaly look.
Is serpentine the same as jade?
No. Serpentine is softer, at about 2.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale against 6 to 7 for jade. It is often sold as new jade, and lower grades are dyed to look like jade.
Is my jade bead strand serpentine?
It might be. Much inexpensive green jade stock is serpentine, and the soft, waxy feel and scratches are clues. Ask the seller what it is.
Is it natural or dyed?
Serpentine is naturally green, but lower grades are dyed to look like jade. Ask the seller, and expect dye on very bright, even green.
Is serpentine safe to wear?
One member of the group, chrysotile, is an asbestos mineral, and the hazard is dust from cutting or grinding. Do not sand or grind any serpentine; ask the seller which kind a bead is.
Not in our pieces right now
Stones we do carry that are close to it are listed under related stones.
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