Serpentine Paten with Gold Inlay Surrounded by Gems in Gold 1st Century BC.
In the Collection of the Louvre, Paris.
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.