Serpentine is not a single crystal gem, but a rock-forming mineral group. The name may derive from the Latin serpentinus due to its scaly appearance and green color. Serpentine is often carved as objets d’art or made into beads. It has been used to imitate nephrite.
Gemological Information for Serpentine
| Color: | Yellow to Yellow Green, Brown |
| Crystal Structure: | Monoclinic |
| Refractive Index: | 1.56 to 1.570 |
| Durability: | Poor |
| Hardness: | 2.5 to 6 |
| Family: | |
| Similar Stones: | Chalcedony, Nephrite, Variscite, Green Turquoise, Jadeite |
| Treatments: | Dyeing, Wax Impregnation |
| Country of Origin: | China, South Africa, U.S. |
Serpentine Care
| Ultrasonic Cleaning: | Never |
| Steam Cleaning: | Risky |
| Warm Soapy Water: | Safe |
| Chemical Attack: | Affected by Hydrochloric and Sulfuric Acid |
| Light Sensitivity: | Stable |
| Heat Sensitivity: | May Fuse Under a Jeweler's Troch. |
Sources
- Gem Reference Guide, Los Angeles: Gemological Institute of America, 1988. Pp. 210-211.
- Newman, Harold. An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, New York: Thames and Hudson, 1981. Pp. 275.
- Schumann, Walter. Gemstones of the World, New York: Sterling Publishing, Co., 1977. Pp. 116.