Serpentine
Antigorite (serpentine group)JewelryWiki Editorial·2 sources·Reviewed 2026-08-04
A green, often mottled stone sold widely as "new jade" — which it is not. Serpentine is a GROUP rather than a single mineral, and its hardness depends entirely on which member you have: IGS puts the base material at Mohs 2.5, with the bowenite variety at 4–6 and williamsite at 4.5. All of them are softer than real jade.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 for ordinary serpentine; bowenite 4–6; williamsite 4.5. The spread matters — "serpentine" alone does not tell you how durable a piece is. [1] | — |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 [2] | — |
| Chemical formula | (Mg,Fe2+)3Si2O5(OH)4 Read from the species entry, Antigorite — one member of the serpentine group, not the whole group. Chrysotile and lizardite are others. [2] | — |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic [2] | — |
| Common treatments | Dyeing, infusion/impregnation and surface coating, per IGS — three separate ways the appearance may not be the material’s own. [1] | — |
| Suitability for daily wear | Poor unless it is bowenite. At Mohs 2.5 the base material scratches against almost everything. [1] | — |
| Care cautions | Coated or impregnated pieces are damaged by heat and solvents. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners entirely. [1] | — |
Sources
- International Gem Society — gemstone articles — International Gem Society (IGS, gemstone information articles (gemsociety.org))
- Handbook of Mineralogy — Mineral Data Publishing / Mineralogical Society of America (Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineral Data Publishing)