Serpentine
Consumer Information
What color is it?: Generally a mottled dark to medium green with yellow. There are several varieties of this mineral but the example shown above is fairly consistent with most of the gem material out there on the market.
What is the story behind this gemstone?: This mineral is mainly used for ornamental carvings and cabochon gemstones. It is not seen very often in your local jewelry store but is more often used by jewelry designers wanting to add some inexpensive green color to their creations.
Can I wear it everyday?: Yes, serpentine wears extremely well for all occasions.
Is it expensive?: No. Generally about the same price as nephrite jade.
Is it a birthstone?: No.
What do I need to know before
going shopping?: If you
are looking for serpentine you will most likely find it in one
of those quaint little shops where a lot of incense is being burned.
Main stream jewelry stores rarely stock serpentine items but it
is quite popular with some independent designers in some of the
artsy types of stores. Also, be careful. Serpentine looks a lot
like nephrite jade so be sure of what you are getting if you are
looking specifically for one or the other.
General Information
Source: World wide
Chemical: Varies greatly because there are many different types Mainly a magnesium silicate.
Formation: In metamorphic rocks usually rich in olivine, from it gets it characteristic green color.
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Unusual Properties: None to speak of.
Gemological Information
RI: 1.560 - 1.571
Birefringence: None
Optic Character: B +
Specific Gravity: 2.60 average but varies
Hardness: 5.5 but can vary
Transparency: Opaque in most forms
Special Identifying Properties and Tests: None
Synthetics: No
Imitations: Many possible