Serpentine in the Market: Trade Names, Types, and What You Should Know
- D'Crystals
- Apr 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 30
Serpentine is a beautiful and versatile stone prized for its calming green tones, smooth texture, and nurturing energy. Often associated with jade because of its similar appearance, serpentine holds its own deep significance in crystal healing, carving arts, and cultural traditions.
In this post, we’ll explore the many names serpentine goes by in the market, its mineral characteristics, metaphysical properties, color variations, practical uses, and buying tips.
What is Serpentine?
Serpentine is a group of magnesium-rich silicate minerals known for their earthy beauty and gentle energy. It is typically found in green to yellow-green hues and has a waxy or silky luster.
Mineral Category | Silicate (phyllosilicate) |
Chemical Formula | (Mg,Fe)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ |
Hardness | 2.5 to 5.5 (Mohs) |
Luster | Greasy, waxy, silky |
Transparency | Opaque to translucent |
Common Colors | Green, yellow-green, brown, black, pink, orange, gold |
Serpentine’s softness makes it a favorite for hand-carved figurines, polished beads, and spiritual tools. It is also one of the most diverse healing stones when it comes to color variety.
🌈 Rare Color Varieties
While green is the most common, serpentine can also occur in:
Pink Serpentine – Often colored by manganese; associated with heart-healing and gentle energy.
Orange or Reddish Serpentine – Usually due to oxidized iron; energizing and uplifting.
Creamy or White Serpentine – Soft and soothing, often used in spiritual purification.
Golden Serpentine (Golden Silk Jade) – A luxurious yellow-gold variety, often translucent with fibrous patterns, marketed in China as 黄金丝玉 (Huángjīn sī yù). It is a form of serpentine highly valued for its silk-like glow and elegance in carvings and jewelry.
These rare colors are valued in metaphysical circles and are becoming more popular in jewelry and carvings.
Common Trade Names for Serpentine
Trade Name | Chinese Name (if applicable) | Notes |
Korean Jade | 韩玉 (Hán yù) | Most widely used name in East Asia |
Xiuyan Jade | 岫岩玉 (Xiùyán yù) | From Xiuyan, Liaoning Province, China |
New Mountain Jade | 新山玉 (Xīnshān yù) | Generic term used in Taiwan and China |
Styrian Jade | — | From Styria, Austria; deep green serpentine |
Afghan Serpentine | 阿富汗玉 (Āfùhàn yù) | Often light-colored or creamy green |
Olive Jade | — | Yellow-green serpentine with olive hue |
Lemon Jade | — | Light yellow to pale green serpentine |
Russian Greenstone | — | Marketed in Europe; often serpentine or bowenite |
South African Jade | — | Commercial name; green serpentine variety |
Serpentine Marble | — | Used in carvings, tiles, and home décor |
Golden Silk Jade | 黄金丝玉 (Huángjīn sī yù) | Translucent golden serpentine with silky patterns |
ℹ️ Many of these names include the word "jade" to reflect aesthetic similarity, not mineral classification.
Metaphysical Properties and Benefits
Serpentine is deeply connected to Earth energy, making it a powerful ally for grounding, healing, and transformation.
Spiritual and Emotional Benefits:
Aligns the heart and crown chakras
Promotes kundalini awakening and spiritual growth
Aids in releasing fear, trauma, and emotional blockages
Enhances meditation, intuition, and inner peace
Encourages connection with nature and past lives
Physical and Practical Uses:
Used in feng shui to promote abundance and calmness
Carved into amulets, figurines, worry stones, and yoga tools
Popular in massage wands and Gua Sha tools for muscle relaxation
Used in home decor to bring earthy, soothing energy into a space
Often made into beads, pendants, and bracelets for everyday support
Buyer’s Tips
Check polish and color: Serpentine has a waxy or smooth luster.
Ask for origin or variety: Xiuyan and Korean jade are highly regarded.
Match to purpose: Select lighter tones for spiritual work, darker greens for grounding, pink/orange for heart and vitality, golden tones for luxury and abundance.
Conclusion
Serpentine is a nurturing and harmonizing stone that offers beauty, energy balance, and spiritual support. With its wide range of colors—from classic green to rare pink, orange, and golden silk—serpentine is both versatile and vibrantly alive with energy.
Though often called jade in commercial settings, serpentine carries its own rich identity and legacy in carvings, metaphysical practices, and holistic well-being.
Whether you call it Xiuyan jade, Korean jade, or golden silk jade—serpentine is a gemstone worth exploring and honoring in its own right.
To learn more about actual jades, you can check out our other blogs here
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