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UnderstandWhat it is, what people ask, how far this page goes
Natural inorganic gem materials · Mineral / gemstone variety · Natural; treatment common (require certificate to distinguish)
Xiu Yu / Serpentine
Also known asXiuyan jade (not to be used as a name)
A variety name listed under Serpentine in GB/T 16552-2017 Table A.2, made mainly of serpentine aggregate; origin and treatment must be proven separately. 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 Xiu Yu / Serpentine forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify Xiu Yu / SerpentineHow far lab testing can go
- Treatments and enhancements of Xiu Yu / SerpentineThe enhancements and treatments the GB/T and JJA/AGL tables list
- Caring for and wearing Xiu Yu / SerpentineCleaning, heat, chemicals and light, as the cited sources give them
- Hardness of Xiu Yu / SerpentineEach value with its source and check date
- Xiu Yu / Serpentine in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Has any of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A put a name for it on record here?
- Listing and disclosing Xiu Yu / SerpentineThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
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
Xiu Yu / Serpentine is a variety name of serpentine jade whose parent is serpentine — a serpentine-group aggregate produced when olivine-rich ultramafic rocks undergo low-temperature hydration (serpentinization). Its make-up is serpentine-group hydrous phyllosilicates (ideal formula Mg3Si2O5(OH)4), commonly a compact aggregate of the three phases lizardite, chrysotile and antigorite, alternating with further minerals. Under the Chinese GB/T nomenclature Xiu Yu / Serpentine is listed under serpentine; the English ‘Xiuyan jade’ is a market name. The formation content here rests on serpentine mineral sources and does not recast the parent’s general genesis as unique to Xiu Yu / Serpentine.
Scope: Covers an overview of the formation of xiu yu (a serpentine jade variety); formation content follows that of the parent material serpentine, and the GB/T naming serves only for positioning, its full text being unavailable.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Where it forms
Olivine-rich ultramafic rocks undergoing serpentinization in a relatively low-temperature hydrous environment, forming a serpentine aggregate.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
How it forms, step by step
Ultramafic rocks are emplaced.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Low-temperature hydration alters the rock into a serpentine-group aggregate.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
A compact, finely coloured serpentine jade results.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Link to appearance
The colour and lustre of serpentine jade depend on the aggregate and associated minerals; appearance alone cannot prove origin, naturalness, or treatment.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Timescale
The source states serpentinization occurs at relatively low temperature but gives no absolute age or growth duration.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Related base materials
- serpentine: Xiu Yu is a variety name for serpentine jade (serpentine aggregate)
Supporting findings
The parent material of Xiu Yu / Serpentine is serpentine — a serpentine-group aggregate formed by low-temperature hydration (serpentinization) of olivine-rich ultramafic rocks.
Evidence grade AScope: Formation rests on the parent serpentine; does not claim Xiu Yu / Serpentine has a genesis independent of serpentine.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
As a serpentine jade, Xiu Yu / Serpentine is a compact aggregate commonly consisting of the three serpentine phases (lizardite, antigorite, chrysotile) alternating with other minerals (carbonates, quartz, chlorite, brucite).
Evidence grade AScope: Describes the serpentine aggregate make-up; not all Xiu Yu / Serpentine samples contain all three phases.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Recorded localities
Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.
Asia
- Xiuyan Manchu Autonomous County, Liaoning, China
Sources Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey · Handbook of Mineralogy
- Xinyi, Guangdong, China
Sources Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey
- Luchuan County, Guangxi, China
Sources Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey
- Qilian Mountains (Jiuquan), Gansu, China
Sources Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey
- Kunlun Mountains, Xinjiang, ChinaOnly the trade name Kunlun jade is given; no specific site
Sources Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey
- Fengtian area, Hualien, Taiwan, China
Sources Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey
North America
- Pennsylvania, United StatesWilliamsite
Sources Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey
Oceania
- New ZealandBowenite
Sources Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey
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.
Other research findings
The mineral make-up of Xiu Yu / Serpentine (serpentine jade) is serpentine-group hydrous phyllosilicates with the ideal formula Mg3Si2O5(OH)4.
Evidence grade AScope: A composition fact only; no specific origin or treatment.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Under the Chinese GB/T nomenclature, Xiu Yu / Serpentine is listed under serpentine as a variety name of serpentine jade; the formation content here is taken from serpentine mineral sources. The full GB/T 16552 text is unavailable, so the nomenclature point is for orientation only.
Evidence grade AScope: The full GB/T text could not be obtained, so the naming conclusion cites no specific clause of it.
Sources G&G Spring 2016
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- Xiu Yu / Serpentine is a variety name of serpentine jade, not an independent species; formation rests on the parent serpentine.
- The full text of GB/T 16552 could not be obtained, so no specific clause of it is cited here.
- The English 'Xiuyan jade' is a market name, a search term only.
- 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
- Xiu Yu (serpentine; geographic origin requires separate evidence)
GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 “Xiu Yu,Serpentine”, 5.1.2.2 c)
Construction or treatment status
Natural; treatment common (require certificate to distinguish)
Treatments recorded for this material: Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Dyed (via parent material)
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
"Xiu Yu / Serpentine" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Trade name rather than a mineralogical species name.
Evidence
- GB/T · Table A.2, row 岫玉 (Xiu Yu / Serpentine)
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Xiu Yu (serpentine; geographic origin requires separate evidence)" 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
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Trade-name ruling
- Trade name rather than a mineralogical species name.
- Suggested listing name
- Xiu Yu (serpentine; geographic origin requires separate evidence)
Care and wear
Care
Xiu Yu / Serpentine — care (cleaning): In AGTA's chart row for serpentine, wax-impregnated (W) material needs special care and should be kept out of ultrasonic cleaners.
AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.
- Treatment state
- treated
- Only after these treatments
- surface waxing
Source & check 2026-10-06
- Source
- AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th edition (August 2026) (AGTA): p.XIV, Gemstone Information Chart, Serpentine W, CARE REQUIRED / SPECIAL ADVICE (locator checked 2026-10-06)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-10-06
Xiu Yu / Serpentine — care (light): The same serpentine row says dyed (D) serpentine needs special care because the dye can fade.
AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.
- Treatment state
- treated
- Only after these treatments
- dyeing
Source & check 2026-10-06
- Source
- AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th edition (August 2026) (AGTA): p.XIV, Gemstone Information Chart, Serpentine D, CARE REQUIRED / SPECIAL ADVICE (locator checked 2026-10-06)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-10-06
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
Each question links to the matching entries on this page; whether they answer it fully, go by the entry wording.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Question | Matching entries |
|---|---|
| Can it go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner? | In AGTA's chart row for serpentine, wax-impregnated (W) material needs special care and should be kept out of ultrasonic cleaners |
| Light and display | The same serpentine row says dyed (D) serpentine needs special care because the dye can fade |
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 (Only after these treatments: surface waxing)
treated (Only after these treatments: dyeing)
Treatments and identification leads
One row per treatment, with three standards side by side: how often it occurs and how stable it is (CIBJO), its category in GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (this site's paraphrase) and how the JJA/AGL 2025 table lists it. Each CIBJO value links to its entry under “Testing and market”, where the wording and source are given in full.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Treatment | Market frequency (CIBJO) | Stability (CIBJO) | GB/T 16552 category | JJA/AGL listing | Identification leads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filling | — | — | Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1 | — | — |
| Dyeing | — | — | Treatment | — | — |
“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (row for Serpentine)
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 Xiu Yu / Serpentine, "Xiuyan jade" must not be used as a name (16 CFR Part 23 §23.25(a); GB/T 16552—2017 §5.1.2.2 a); GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 “Xiu Yu,Serpentine”).
Standard and listing namesThe Chinese formal name for Xiu Yu / Serpentine comes from GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2, and the suggested listing name is Xiu Yu (serpentine; origin to be substantiated separately). Names in four languagesAmong the four-language names, the Simplified and Traditional Chinese forms are the same, the English is Xiu Yu / Serpentine, and the Japanese uses the same characters. Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name, under the GB/T 16552 naming system, is a serpentine aggregate. Sub-names and unacceptable namesXiuyan jade is a trade name/synonym, but it is not the English name GB/T 16552—2017 Annex A Table A.2 gives for this material; the English names given there are Xiu Yu and Serpentine, and Xiuyan jade serves only as a search term, registered as a name not to be used. Institution usageThe entry's own English name is Xiu Yu / Serpentine; this site has not yet verified the wording of GIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A for it, and Xiu Yu / Serpentine does not represent the position of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A; the entry's own Japanese name uses the same characters, and Japan's GSJ wording for it is not yet verified by this site.
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.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Name | Type | Matching | Use as a name | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| not to be used as a name (1) | ||||
| Xiuyan jadeEnglish | transliteration | 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); GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 “Xiu Yu,Serpentine”; Note: Not the GB/T English name: GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A Table A.2 gives “Xiu Yu, Serpentine” for this material; kept for search only. |
How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- 岫玉 (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- Chinese formal name
- 岫玉 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2)
- Mineralogical name
- Serpentine aggregate under GB/T 16552 nomenclature
- Trade names and synonyms
- Not to be used as a name: Xiuyan jade (transliteration)
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 岫玉
- 繁體中文
- 岫玉
- English
- Xiu Yu / Serpentine
- 日本語
- 岫玉
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
- Mineral / gemstone variety
- Mineral chemical class
- Mixed / composition-dependent
- Construction or treatment status
- Natural; treatment common (require certificate to distinguish)
Treatments listed by standards
Xiu Yu / Serpentine applies the “Serpentine” row of GB/T 16552—2017 Annex B, Table B.1, which lists filling and dyeing: the filling grades are on the Gem treatments page, and dyeing is in the treatment category. The notes to Table B.1 and the definitions of the filling grades are on the Gem treatments page, and the full row, with the effect column, is on the Serpentine page.
GB/T 16552-2017, Annex B, Table B.1
Under the “Serpentine” row of Table B.1: Filling Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1; Dyeing Treatment. The full row, with the effect column, is on the Serpentine page.
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
Among the registered material facts for Xiu Yu / Serpentine, the durability item gives a Mohs hardness of 2.5–6 for the serpentine mineral group as a whole, from GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing. Site note: a Mohs hardness of 2.5–6 is the range for the entire serpentine mineral group, not measured data for Xiu Yu / Serpentine itself. The whole-class features of chemical composition, long-wave UV fluorescence, short-wave UV fluorescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum and magnification are written for the serpentine mineral group as a whole; see the material facts on the Serpentine entry.
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”.
Chemical composition, long-wave UV luminescence, short-wave UV luminescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum, magnification: these whole-class features are given in the cited clause for serpentine (whole group), so they are not repeated on the Xiu Yu / Serpentine page; see the material facts on the Serpentine entry.
Durability
Xiu Yu / 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
- What this covers
- serpentine (whole group)
- Qualification
This is the range for the whole class, not a measured value for this variety. The clause covers the whole serpentine group.
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
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Testing and market
The CIBJO laboratory protocol covers Xiu Yu / Serpentine under “Serpentine” (§6.1.73): see identification on the Serpentine entry; the required tests are listed on the CIBJO laboratory protocol table for Serpentine.
How far testing can go
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
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 | Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Dyed (via parent material) | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Xiu Yu / 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. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.