On this page
UnderstandWhat it is, what people ask, how far this page goes
Natural inorganic gem materials · Rock / mineral aggregate · Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Serpentine
Also known asAntigorite · Bowenite · Chrysotile (conditional name) · Lizardite · New jade (not to be used as a name) · Williamsite
Minerals of the serpentine group or rocks made of them; for example, Taishan jade should be named Serpentine, and trade names may appear only as a note in quality documents. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Serpentine forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify SerpentineHow far lab testing can go
- Treatments and enhancements of Serpentine3 registered treatments: status, stability, how common they are and identification leads
- Caring for and wearing SerpentineCleaning, heat, chemicals and light, as the cited sources give them
- Hardness, density and refractive index of SerpentineEach value with its source and check date
- Serpentine in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Which of GIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A have a name for it on record, and do those agree?
- Name origin and history of SerpentineHow people have used it, with museum objects
- Listing and disclosing SerpentineThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define SerpentineWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Serpentine is a group name applied both to a set of hydrous phyllosilicate minerals (lizardite, chrysotile, antigorite and others) and to the rock — serpentinite — that they build; it is not one species. These minerals are produced when olivine-rich ultramafic rocks become hydrated at comparatively low temperature, a process known as serpentinization. Within the group the three principal polymorphs form across a broad spectrum of thermal conditions in numerous geological settings: lizardite is usually the earliest phase, commonly pseudomorphing olivine; chrysotile predominantly fills fractures within serpentinite; and antigorite, the high-temperature polymorph, grows above roughly 320°C as metamorphic grade increases. Gem-quality serpentine is a compact aggregate that often contains all three phases together with other minerals.
Scope: Covers an overview of the formation of serpentine (the mineral group and the rocks composed of it); formation content reflects what the minerals of the group have in common, and no single origin is claimed for the group name.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Where it forms
Olivine-rich ultramafic rocks (peridotites etc.) undergoing serpentinization in a relatively low-temperature hydrous environment.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Chrysotile mainly fills fractures crosscutting serpentinite; antigorite grows above about 320°C with increasing metamorphic grade.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
How it forms, step by step
Olivine-rich ultramafic rocks are emplaced.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Low-temperature hydration (serpentinization) replaces/fills olivine etc. with serpentine-group minerals.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
With increasing metamorphic grade, lizardite/chrysotile transform to antigorite above about 320°C.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Link to appearance
Aggregate structure and colour make serpentine(-jade) resemble jadeite and nephrite, for which it is often a simulant; appearance alone cannot prove identity or origin.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Timescale
The source gives a temperature threshold for antigorite growth (about 320°C) but no absolute age or growth duration.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Related base materials
- lizardite: One of the polymorphs of the serpentine group
- antigorite: One of the polymorphs of the serpentine group
- chrysotile: One of the polymorphs of the serpentine group
Supporting findings
Serpentine minerals are produced when olivine-rich ultramafic rocks are hydrated at comparatively low temperature, a process termed serpentinization.
Evidence grade AScope: Describes serpentinization in general; no specific P-T values.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Each polymorph occupies its own stability field. Lizardite is usually the earliest phase, commonly pseudomorphing olivine; chrysotile predominantly fills the fractures that cut through serpentinite; and antigorite, the high-temperature polymorph, grows above roughly 320°C.
Evidence grade AScope: Describes relative stability fields and paragenesis; 'about 320°C' is the source's threshold.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Gem-quality serpentine is a compact aggregate that can consist of all three serpentine phases (lizardite, antigorite, chrysotile) alternating with other minerals such as carbonates, quartz, chlorite, and brucite.
Evidence grade AScope: Describes the aggregate make-up of gem-quality serpentine; not all samples contain all three phases.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Recorded localities
Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.
Asia
- Korea (as printed)
Sources G&G Spring 2016
- Jilin, China
Sources G&G Spring 2016
- Xiuyan Manchu Autonomous County, Liaoning, China
Sources Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey · Handbook of Mineralogy
Europe
- Pizzo Tremogge, Val Malenco, Lombardy, Italy
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Seas and coasts
- WorldwideHoM (antigorite): widespread
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.
Human use and museum objects
The Met's Syrian Neolithic serpentine beads (1985.356.48, ca. late 8th millennium BCE; 1985.356.56 etc., 7th–6th millennium BCE) are labelled 'Serpentine' and are the earliest serpentine objects in the collection; further examples include a Minoan serpentine mold (26.31.393, ca. 1600–1400 BCE). Serpentine and steatite (compact talc) are different minerals and should not be conflated.
Evidence grade AScope: Based only on the museum's cataloguing of these specific objects; it is not generalized to widespread practice or universal use of the material.
Sources The Met 1985.356.48 · The Met 1985.356.56 · The Met 26.31.393 +2
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Bead (1985.356.48)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Bead (1985.356.56)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Serpentine mold for casting bead pendants (26.31.393)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Bead in the shape of Pazuzu head (74.51.4392)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Tankard (68.141.112)
The museum material word for these objects is 'Serpentine' (The Met). The earliest attested pieces are Syrian Neolithic beads (e.g. 1985.356.48, ca. late 8th millennium BCE; 1985.356.56, 7th–6th millennium BCE), all plain beads. There is also a Minoan serpentine mold for casting bead pendants (26.31.393, ca. 1600–1400 BCE), a Cypriot bead in the shape of a Pazuzu head (74.51.4392, 1st millennium BCE), and a tankard whose silver is ca. 1620 and whose stone is late 19th century ('Serpentine, silver', 68.141.112). Note the museum medium word is 'Serpentine'; serpentine and steatite (compact talc) are both common soft carving materials but are different minerals and are not equated here. Met 95.15.238 is titled with a 'serpentine fibula' but its medium is 'Gold' — there 'serpentine' describes the brooch type, not the stone — so it is not counted as material evidence. Serpentine evidence is comparatively sparse and drawn from a single museum, so this account is kept brief.
Sources The Met 1985.356.48 · The Met 1985.356.56 · The Met 26.31.393 +2
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Bead (1985.356.48)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Bead (1985.356.56)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Serpentine mold for casting bead pendants (26.31.393)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Bead in the shape of Pazuzu head (74.51.4392)
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Tankard (68.141.112)
Scope: A museum object evidences only that artefact's existence and date; it does not establish widespread ancient use of the material, nor does it authenticate the origin, naturalness or treatment of any modern specimen.
Objects cited
- The Met 1985.356.48Serpentine
- The Met 1985.356.56Serpentine
- The Met 26.31.393Serpentine
- The Met 74.51.4392Serpentine
- The Met 68.141.112Serpentine, silver
Other research findings
Serpentine serves as a group name covering three principal polymorphs — lizardite, chrysotile and antigorite — whose formation spans a broad spectrum of thermal conditions across numerous geological settings.
Evidence grade AScope: Defines the group name and its three polymorphs; does not claim it is a single species.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Serpentine-group minerals are hydrous phyllosilicates whose ideal composition is Mg3Si2O5(OH)4.
Evidence grade AScope: A composition fact only; no genetic implication.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Serpentine(-ite) has been used since antiquity for ceremonial and ornamental carvings and, because of its aggregate structure and colour, is often used and marketed as an imitation of jadeite and nephrite.
Evidence grade AScope: Defines use and its 'serpentine jade' simulant positioning; does not equate it with jadeite/nephrite.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- Serpentine is a mineral-group/rock name, not a single species; formation content is the group's common process.
- 'New jade' and similar are misnomers and are not used as jade claims.
- No absolute age or growth duration is given.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Serpentine
GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 “Serpentine” · CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.213 “Serpentine”
Construction or treatment status
Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Treatments recorded for this material: Waxed, Filled / Fracture-filled, Dyed
Related:Disclosure and cautions
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
Serpentine is often subjected to waxing. Under GB/T 16552-2017, waxing (not listed separately in GB/T; Table 1 groups it with colourless oil or wax filling) counts as an optimization, so the plain gem name may be used (§5.4.2.1 a). Do not assume it is unenhanced.
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Serpentine" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- This entry's exact material identity is not fully settled.
- See “Disclosure and cautions” above
- Disclosure rules for the treatments above can change as authorities update their standards; re-check before relying on this page.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Trade-name ruling
- Industry-wide term that does not denote a single species.
- Suggested listing name
- Serpentine
Care and wear
Normal care for every gemstone (CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.1), in brief:
- Handle it gently.
- Store pieces apart when not worn, so they cannot scratch each other.
- Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
- Use ultrasonic cleaners only with caution.
The §6.1 wording and the full list of §6.2 special-care letters cited on this page are on the general gem care page.
Care
Serpentine — care (light): may fade or revert to its original colour in strong light; do not wear or leave it in strong light for extended periods.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code f
- Treatment state
- treated
- Only after these treatments
- dyeing
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022) (CIBJO): §8 Annex C, Serpentine, p.74; §6.2 f (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Serpentine — care (chemicals): Treatments with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent; keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code k
- Treatment state
- treated
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022) (CIBJO): §8 Annex C, Serpentine, p.74; §6.2 k (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Serpentine — care (special care): impregnated with colourless wax: special care (SC); avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.
- Treatment state
- treated
- Only after these treatments
- surface waxing
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th edition (August 2026) (AGTA): p.XIV, Gemstone Information Chart, Serpentine W, CARE REQUIRED / SPECIAL ADVICE (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Serpentine — care (special care): dyed various colours: special care (SC).
AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.
- Treatment state
- treated
- Only after these treatments
- dyeing
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th edition (August 2026) (AGTA): p.XIV, Gemstone Information Chart, Serpentine D, CARE REQUIRED / SPECIAL ADVICE (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Common care questions and matching entries
LightCare conclusions for Serpentine: for treated Serpentine (dyeing only), it may fade or revert to its original colour under strong light, so do not wear or keep it under strong light for long (CIBJO). ChemicalsFor treated Serpentine, dyeing, oiling, resin, wax or plastic impregnation are not permanent, so keep it away from all solvents (including detergents of every kind), chemicals and heat (CIBJO). AGTAThe American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Gemstone Information Manual, 17th edition, states that treated Serpentine impregnated with colourless wax (surface waxing only) needs special care (marked SC) and should be kept away from ultrasonic cleaning; and that treated Serpentine dyed in various colours (dyeing only) needs special care (marked SC).
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| Question | Matching entries |
|---|---|
| Light and display | may fade or revert to its original colour in strong light; do not wear or leave it in strong light for extended periods |
| Contact with acids, alkalis and household chemicals | Treatments with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent; keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat |
Care entries by treatment state
The same entries grouped by the treatment state each applies to; each links to its full wording and source. Letters are CIBJO special-care codes, explained on the gemstone care page.
treated
treated (Only after these treatments: dyeing)
- may fade or revert to its original colour in strong light; do not wear or leave it in strong light for extended periods §6.2 f
- dyed various colours: special care (SC)
treated (Only after these treatments: surface waxing)
Treatments and identification leads
Registered treatmentsThe treatments registered for Serpentine include surface waxing, dyeing and filling. Values not givenSurface waxing has status treated, stability not stable and market prevalence common, with identification leads and source both marked "—". Dyeing has status colour-treated, with stability and prevalence both marked "—"; filling has status treated, with stability and prevalence both marked "—". Identification cluesIdentification leads are given for dyeing and filling: dyeing can be identified by uneven colour distribution, possible distinctive fluorescence of the dye under long-wave and short-wave UV, and colour coming off when wiped with solvents such as acetone and anhydrous ethanol; filling can be identified by differences in lustre at filled areas, gas bubbles, infrared spectral and luminescence imaging features, and, where the filler is wax, wax possibly sweating out on contact with a thermal needle. Values not givenItems marked "—" mean the cited source gives no value.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Treatment | Market frequency (CIBJO) | Stability (CIBJO) | GB/T 16552 category | JJA/AGL listing | Identification leads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| surface waxingStatus: treated | commonly | unstable | — | — | — |
| dyeingStatus: colour treated | — | — | Treatment | — | See identification leads |
| fillingStatus: treated | — | — | Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1 | — | See identification leads |
Where each treatment acts (schematics): Waxed · Dyed · Filled / Fracture-filled
“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GB/T 16553—2017; GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1
Whether a treatment has to show in the name differs between the two rule sets (this site’s paraphrase):
- GB/T 16552—2017: a method classed as treatment has to be stated in the name itself — the method put before the name, or added in brackets after it; a method classed as optimization does not need to appear in the name, though one marked “Optimization (annotation required)” still has to be noted in the quality documents. Source: §5.4.2.1 a), b); §5.4.2.2 a)
- CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022: no longer splits treatments into ones that need specific disclosure and ones that need only general disclosure: every treatment is to be disclosed, and the seller tells the buyer which treatment was used and what special care it calls for. Source: §4.2.5 Note 2, §4.2.5.1, pp.14–15
What this table covers
What this page can give
- Registered treatments, their stability and how often they occur (see the table above)
- Identification leads for each treatment, for use when sending a stone for testing
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
For Serpentine, "Antigorite", "Bowenite", "Chrysotile", "Lizardite" and "Williamsite" are recorded with no restriction on use as a name, while "New jade" must not be used as a name (16 CFR Part 23 §23.25(a); GB/T 16552—2017 §5.1.2.2 a)); one further name in a non-Latin script is listed in the name register below (1 that may appear only as an annotation, never as the product name).
Standard and listing namesThe GB/T 16552—2017 formal name for Serpentine is given in Table A.2, and the suggested listing name is Serpentine. Names in four languagesThe names are given in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Serpentine) and Japanese (a transliteration and a kanji name); the entry's own Japanese names are the same, and the Japanese GSJ wording for them is not yet verified by this site. Mineralogically it corresponds to serpentine-group minerals or rock. Sub-names and unacceptable namesThe trade name New jade is a misnomer that may be mistaken for jadeite or nephrite; it is used only as a search term and listed as an unacceptable name; Taishan jade is a market name that may only be added as a note, never as the main product name. In the name register, Antigorite, Bowenite, Chrysotile, Lizardite and Williamsite are subordinate names, and Chrysotile is only a candidate search term. Institution usageAmong authority wordings, CIBJO's Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 lists Serpentine; the US FTC source text has no wording for Serpentine, which has been checked; GIA and Gem-A have not yet been checked. Bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name, which does not represent their position.
Name register
Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.
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| Name | Type | Matching | Use as a name | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no restriction recorded (5) | ||||
| AntigoriteEnglish | narrower name (variety or subtype) | matched automatically | no restriction recorded | CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.19 “Antigorite” |
| BoweniteEnglish | narrower name (variety or subtype) | matched automatically | no restriction recorded | CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.33 “Bowenite” |
| ChrysotileEnglish | narrower name (variety or subtype) | search candidate only | no restriction recorded | CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.59 “Chrysotile” |
| LizarditeEnglish | narrower name (variety or subtype) | matched automatically | no restriction recorded | CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.133 “Lizardite” |
| WilliamsiteEnglish | narrower name (variety or subtype) | matched automatically | no restriction recorded | CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.264 “Williamsite” |
| annotation only, never as the product name (1) | ||||
| 泰山玉Simplified Chinese | market name | matched automatically | annotation only, never as the product name | GB/T 16552—2017 5.1.1 c) |
| not to be used as a name (1) | ||||
| New jadeEnglish | market name | matched automatically | not to be used as a name | 16 CFR Part 23 §23.25(a); GB/T 16552—2017 5.1.2.2 a); Note: Misnomer; kept for search only. |
How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- サーペンティン／蛇紋石 (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- Chinese formal name
- 蛇纹石 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2)
- Mineralogical name
- Serpentine group minerals/rock
- Trade names and synonyms
- Antigorite (narrower name (variety or subtype)) · Bowenite (narrower name (variety or subtype)) · Lizardite (narrower name (variety or subtype)) · Williamsite (narrower name (variety or subtype)) · Chrysotile (narrower name (variety or subtype); conditional name)Not to be used as a name: New jade (market name)
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 蛇纹石
- 繁體中文
- 蛇紋石
- English
- Serpentine
- 日本語
- サーペンティン／蛇紋石
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Natural materials
- Material domain
- Natural inorganic gem materials
- Browsing family
- Rocks and polymineral aggregates
- Identity tier
- Rock / mineral aggregate
- Mineral chemical class
- Mixed / composition-dependent
- Construction or treatment status
- Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Treatments listed by standards
The Serpentine row of GB/T 16552—2017 Annex B, Table B.1 lists: filling, which improves or changes durability and appearance and is classed by graded definitions; and dyeing, which improves or changes colour and is classed as treatment. The notes to Table B.1 and the graded definitions are on the Gem treatments page.
GB/T 16552-2017, Annex B, Table B.1
Table B.1, row “Serpentine” (p.16):
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Method | Effect | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Filling | Improves or changes durability and appearance | Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1 |
| Dyeing | Improves or changes colour | Treatment |
What Table B.1 is, and how the “see 5.4.1” grades are defined: see the GB/T 16552: optimization vs treatment page.
What it is and how it's identified
The material facts for Serpentine register chemical composition, structure, and physical and optical data; the Mohs hardness of 2.5–6 is taken for the whole mineral group, and a site note says this range is wider than that of any single species in the group. Chemical composition (Mg,Fe,Ni)3Si2O5(OH)4, phase serpentine group; crystalline aggregate, commonly fine-grained bladed or fibrous; no cleavage. Density 2.44–2.8 g/cm³, worked out from the cited clause's 2.57 with a tolerance of +0.23, −0.13; refractive index 1.49–1.574, worked out from the cited clause's 1.560–1.570 with a tolerance of +0.004, −0.070; optic character an anisotropic aggregate, birefringence not measurable on an aggregate; quality factor (lustre) of untreated Serpentine waxy to vitreous; transparency translucent to opaque; UV-visible spectrum not diagnostic, with characteristic serpentine infrared absorption bands in the mid-infrared region; chatoyancy visible but very rare.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Definition
Serpentine — composition (chemistry): serpentine: (Mg,Fe,Ni) 3Si2O5 (OH) 4.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — composition (phase): serpentine group
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Structure
Serpentine — structure (overall): crystalline aggregate, usually fine-grained and foliated, or fibrous.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Durability
Serpentine — Mohs hardness: 2.5–6
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause is written for the whole mineral family, so its range is wider than that of any single species in it.
Source & check 2026-09-20
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-20)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-20
Serpentine — cleavage: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — stability: low hardness, so it scratches easily; particularly vulnerable to acids, so keep it away from them; no ultrasonic cleaning.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code a, special-care code h, special-care code j
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Qualification
The row we cite covers the serpentine group as a whole: antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite.
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022) (CIBJO): §8 Annex C, Serpentine, p.74; §6.2 a, h, j (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
For Serpentine, the stability of surface waxing is “unstable”.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
- Treatment state
- treated
- Treatment
- surface waxing
Source & check 2026-09-25
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-25
Physical properties
Serpentine — density: 2.44–2.8 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 2.57, with a stated tolerance of +0.23 / -0.13. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Optical
Serpentine — optic character: anisotropic aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — refractive index: 1.49–1.574
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 1.560–1.570, with a stated tolerance of +0.004 / -0.070. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — birefringence: not measurable on an aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — transparency: translucent to opaque.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Serpentine — pleochroism: not measurable on an aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — fluorescence (long-wave UV): none to weak, green
GB/T 16553—2017
UV fluorescence (long-wave UV)greennone–weakDots are illustrative colours built from the colour names, not measured values
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — fluorescence (short-wave UV): none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — spectrum (UV-visible): non-characteristic
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — spectrum (infrared): In the mid-IR, serpentine shows its own diagnostic band pattern.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — optical effect (chatoyancy): seen; very rare
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine — magnification: mineral inclusions, an interwoven texture of leaf-like and fibrous crystals.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
body colour2 sources compared
Serpentine — body colour: Green to greenish yellow, white, brown, black, often mottled.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Qualification
In chapter 7 of the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book, the colour descriptions of Andradite, Actinolite, Chrysoberyl and other entries also name green or a greenish colour.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Serpentine — body colour: green to green-yellow, white, brown and black.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
In chapter 5 of GB/T 16553—2017, the colour entries of Turquoise, Epidote, Nephrite and other variety clauses also name green or a greenish colour.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
How the sources relate
- CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 and GB/T 16553—2017
The two entries agree: green to greenish yellow, white, brown and black. The CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book adds that the material is often mottled.
- CIBJO definitions
- chatoyancy
Quality factors
Serpentine — quality factor (lustre): waxy to vitreous
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.532 / 2.62; Closest values: 1Amethyst 1.548 / 2.67, 2Charoite 1.554 / 2.66, 3Changhua Stone 1.56 / 2.6, 4Balin Stone 1.56 / 2.55, 5Shoushan Stone 1.56 / 2.7
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Testing and market
Dyed Serpentine can be identified by magnification: colour distribution is uneven, with colourant often gathered in fractures, gaps between grains or surface pits; under long-wave and short-wave ultraviolet light the dye may show distinctive fluorescence; and colour comes off when wiped with solvents such as acetone or anhydrous ethanol. In filled Serpentine, the filled areas differ in lustre from the host under magnification and may contain gas bubbles; infrared spectroscopy can detect the characteristic bands of the filler; luminescence imaging equipment such as a UV fluorescence viewer can show how the filler is distributed; and if the filler is wax, wax may exude when touched with a hot needle. The identification leads for dyeing and filling come from GB/T 16553—2017, which can only be used as a reference for Serpentine and does not govern it directly. Among Serpentine on the market, surface waxing occurs with a prevalence of common. The CIBJO laboratory protocol requires dyeing to be checked in particular, limited to bowenite and williamsite.
The tests the CIBJO laboratory protocol requires for this material, and what each method means, are in the protocol table on the laboratory testing page: §6.1.73.
How far testing can go
Serpentine that has undergone dyeing can be identified by the following features: Under magnification the colour is unevenly distributed and mostly concentrated in fissures, between grains or in surface hollows; the dye may light up with an unusual fluorescence under long- and short-wave UV; wiping with acetone or absolute ethanol can lift the colour.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- colour treated
- Does this standard apply
- can be followed as a reference only
- Treatment
- dyeing
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (dyeing) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Serpentine that has undergone filling can be identified by the following features: Under magnification the surface luster of the filled part differs from that of the host jade and gas bubbles may be present in the filled area; infrared spectra show characteristic absorption bands of the filler; luminescence imaging (such as a UV fluorescence viewer) shows how the filler is distributed.
If the filler is wax, touching it with a hot needle may make wax seep out.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- treated
- Does this standard apply
- can be followed as a reference only
- Treatment
- filling
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.7 (filling) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
For Serpentine in trade, the reported frequency of surface waxing is “commonly”.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
- Treatment state
- treated
- Treatment
- surface waxing
Source & check 2026-09-25
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-25
Serpentine — what the CIBJO laboratory protocol says to watch for: dye
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
- Applies only to
- bowenite and williamsite
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Clause-level definitions
Serpentine is defined directly under the entry name Serpentine in the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024; the visible part of CIBJO's definition of Serpentine states that lizardite, chrysotile and antigorite are the serpentine species met most often. The visible part of CIBJO's definition of Antigorite counts it among the serpentine minerals found most often; Bowenite is defined as a translucent antigorite variety whose colour runs from light to medium green to yellow-green; Chrysotile is defined as a soft, fibrous form coloured grey to light green or light yellow to light brownish; for Lizardite the CIBJO wording is quoted in full under Clause-level definitions on this page; Williamsite is defined as a serpentine of intense green colour that is nearly transparent to translucent. Cross-check results: Serpentine is defined directly by CIBJO and also appears in the GB/T annex; Antigorite, Bowenite, Chrysotile, Lizardite and Williamsite are defined directly by CIBJO, and no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex.
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| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigorite | 7.2.1.19 | One of the most common serpentine minerals. Usually dark green, may also be yellowish, grey, brown or black, translucent to opaque | Defined directly by CIBJO; no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex. |
| Bowenite | 7.2.1.33 | Light to medium green to yellow-green, translucent variety of antigorite | Defined directly by CIBJO; no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex. |
| Chrysotile | 7.2.1.59 | soft fibrous, grey to light green, light yellow to light brownish | Defined directly by CIBJO; no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex. |
| Lizardite | 7.2.1.133 | Lizardite is the most common serpentine species. Green, light yellow to white; translucent | Defined directly by CIBJO; no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex. |
| Serpentine | 7.2.1.213 | Most common serpentine species are lizardite, chrysotile and antigorite. Green to greenish yellow, white, brown, black, often mottled; translucent to opaque | Defined directly by CIBJO; also present in the GB/T annex. |
| Williamsite | 7.2.1.264 | Intense green, nearly transparent to translucent serpentine | Defined directly by CIBJO; no identically named English entry was found in this edition of the GB/T annex. |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Rocks and polymineral aggregates | Live |
| Treatments recorded for this material | Waxed, Filled / Fracture-filled, Dyed | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Serpentine entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.