Frequently asked questions

• Is serpentine the same as jade, or is 'New Jade' a different stone?

  Serpentine and jade are different minerals. Serpentine is a magnesium silicate hydroxide group (antigorite, chrysotile, lizardite); jade refers to nephrite or jadeite. Because some serpentine — particularly bowenite — takes a green polish that resembles jade, it has been marketed in the bead trade as 'New Jade,' 'Olive Jade,' or 'Korean Jade.' These are serpentine, not jade. Serpentine is also noticeably softer (Mohs 2.5–5.5) than nephrite (6–6.5) or jadeite (6.5–7), which matters for both pricing and durability. If a strand is labeled with a jade trade name but the price and feel suggest serpentine, that's typically what it is.
• Is serpentine treated, and how should dye affect my buying decision?

  Serpentine in the bead trade is typically either natural or dyed. Natural color runs from pale yellow-green through olive and deeper forest green, often with darker veining. Dye is used to deepen or unify color, sometimes to push it toward a jade-like hue. Dyed material can bleed or fade with prolonged sun exposure, sweat, or solvents, so dye matters most for pieces worn against skin or stored in light. Treatment should be disclosed — ask before buying if it isn't specified. For wire-wrap and bead-embroidery work where the stone won't see heavy wear, dyed serpentine is generally stable with reasonable care.
• How durable is serpentine for everyday jewelry?

  Serpentine's hardness ranges from about 2.5 to 5.5 depending on variety — softer than most stones designers handle regularly. That puts it firmly in the earring, pendant, and occasional-wear bracelet category rather than rings or daily-wear bracelets that take knocks. The stone scratches against quartz, feldspar, and harder beads, so avoid stringing it tight against agate, jasper, or tiger eye without spacers if abrasion is a concern. Knotting between beads on silk or nylon protects the surface. For necklaces and earrings, serpentine wears well for years; for rings or cuffs, harder alternatives like aventurine or chrysoprase hold up better.
• How do I clean serpentine beads without damaging them?

  Use a soft cloth slightly dampened with plain water, then dry immediately. Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners — the heat and vibration can damage softer serpentine varieties and may drive dye out of treated material. Avoid commercial jewelry dips, ammonia, bleach, and acetone. Some serpentine varieties contain fibrous components and can absorb oils or solvents, dulling the polish. Store strands separately from harder stones to prevent surface scratching, and keep finished pieces out of prolonged direct sunlight if the strand is dyed. A soft pouch or compartmented box works well.
• What stones in the bead trade get confused with serpentine?

  Beyond jade (already covered), serpentine overlaps visually with bowenite — which is itself a hard variety of serpentine often sold as 'Korean Jade' or 'New Jade.' Soapstone (steatite/talc) can look similar but is softer still and feels greasy. Atlantisite is serpentine with stichtite inclusions, giving lilac-purple flecks against green; it's marketed as its own stone. Some pale green serpentine resembles prehnite or chrysoprase, but those are harder and have different optical character — prehnite shows a waxy translucency, chrysoprase a more uniform apple-green. When sorting strands, hardness testing and a careful look at veining patterns are the quickest tells.