Serpentine Crystal Meaning, Facts, Healing Uses I Satin Crystals

Serpentine snakes its way into your heart and raises your vibrations.

Are you ready to dive into the world of Serpentine? Get ready to learn all about this slithering stone, from geological facts to metaphysical healing properties.

Join the Satin Crystals VIP and stay updated on Serpentine and all of your favorite gemstones.

Serpentine Meaning Video

Watch the Serpentine Meaning Video for an overview of this healing crystal, see examples, and go over your answers to your top 5 questions.

While you are there, watch the entire A-Z Satin Crystals Meanings video series. We answer your questions on all of the most popular crystals. You can also post your questions and stories directly to the Youtube comments.

Can you benefit from Serpentine crystals?

You may benefit from Serpentine crystals if you can relate to any of the following:

You want to raise your kundalini energy
You wish to unblock your Heart chakra
You want to strengthen your Qi life force
You want to overcome past life traumas
You are drawn to serpent energy
You practice earth magic rituals
You want to detoxify your energy bodies

What is Serpentine?

Serpentine is the name we use for the stone Serpentinite. Serpentinite is a term that geologists use for the same stone.

Serpentine is a yellowish-green to a dark-green mineral found within the Serpentinite rock.

What energy does Serpentine have?

Serpentine is best known for its life-giving energies. It raises your kundalini and harnesses your life force, or Qi, to energize your aura.

Besides activating your vibrations, Serpentine helps clear past obstacles head-on through past life regression, therapy sessions, or guided meditations. When you confront your issues with Serpentine, you can accept and overcome past traumas and move forward peacefully.

Working at the Heart chakra, Serpentine is known to soothe emotional imbalances. It is a stone of wisdom that accumulates your life's knowledge. Serpentine helps you learn from your past experiences and apply these lessons to your current issues.

Connected with Earth Element, Serpentine stone links you to the natural world. It brings patience and appreciation for all life around you. It is particularly beneficial when practicing earth magic and grounding rituals.

How do you use Serpentine for healing?

Here are some ideas on how you can use your Serpentine stones in your crystal healing practice:

Place a Serpentine heart at your Heart chakra and surround yourself with Serpentine tumbled stones in a crystal layout focused on letting go of past traumas
Place Serpentine stones in your garden or potted plants for loving growth and connection to the earth
Wear Serpentine anklets to ground to Mother Nature
Wear Serpentine pendant necklaces at your heart to balance your chakra throughout the day
Hold Serpentine eggs during a past life regression to smoothly travel to the past while your body is grounded to the present
Surround yourself with Serpentine figurines to channel protective animal and higher beings' guardian energy
Place a smooth Serpentine stone at the base of your spine, place a Serpentine pyramid at the Crown chakra, and hold Serpentine spheres during kundalini meditations
Create a crystal mandala grid with your favorite Serpentine stones for Qi energy to flow through your space
Use a Serpentine facial roller to soothe your face and roll away worries
Work with Atlantisite Serpentine stones to connect with the lost continent of Atlantis

Massage with Serpentine wands to release physical knots and metaphysical blockages
Drink a Serpentine gem elixir to detoxify your energy body

Lisa's personal experience with Serpentine

Serpentine is such a special stone. I'll start by telling you about my personal preferences. As it comes in a range of green tones with all kinds of interesting patterns (often depending on origin), there are lots of Serpentines to love. Aesthetically, my favorite Serpentines are the very dark green ones. They look so rich and swampy, thriving with life. This type of Serpentine is my preferred for healing work.

However, there's another type I like as well. The lighter spring green Serpentine that hosts big gold bullions makes me feel as prosperous as a miner who's just struck it rich. Okay, it's actually Fool's Gold (Pyrite), but they look like giant gold deposits in big fields of grass. These are the ones I like to use in my abundance manifestations.

Along with variable looks, Serpentine stones have vast metaphysical capabilities. They can be used for love energy and Heart chakra healing. When I need a boost of love, I wear a green Serpentine necklace and the gem falls around my heart center.

Thanks to the presence of Pyrite, Serpentine can be an amazing abundance stone. For this intention, I place small stones in my money box. And as this is the preferred stone of my serpent animal guardian, I also use shapes like pyramids in shamanic meditation.

However, two qualities stand out to me when it comes to Serpentine. It has the special ability to raise the coiled Kundalini and to take you back in time in past life therapy. I haven't worked with the Kundalini much but I have done lots of professional past-life therapy for clients. During those sessions, I would either wear Serpentine bracelets, earrings, or rings to facilitate easy hypnosis and time regression.

I loved decorating the office with Serpentine spheres and stones that helped the client enter past life regression and kept my focus on my job as well. These are the Serpentine trait and talents that make it stand out as extremely unique in the crystal world.

Sheila's personal experience with Serpentine

I became intrigued with Serpentine when I found out it was the California state rock. I began to notice it on walks and hikes around my state. It's ironic to be stepping carelessly on rocks that are so precious when picked, polished, and used in healing.

Upon doing research, I made an interesting discovery that they were trying to revoke Serpentine's status as state rock due to the presence of asbestos. Like so many other aspects of our life, Serpentine was stereotyped and vilified based on one bad apple. The majority of Serpentine does not even contain asbestos. Yet the small fraction that does, ruined it for the rest!

I associate Serpentine with kundalini serpent energy especially after my mother related her experience of spiritual awakening and feeling this energy rise within her body during a healing session. It is the only crystal that is specifically used for this purpose.

What are the mineral facts of Serpentine?

The general formula for all Serpentine minerals is (X)₂₃(Y)₂O₅(OH)₄.

Depending on the Serpentine:

X = magnesium, iron, nickel, zinc, manganese, or aluminum
Y = silicon, aluminum, or iron

Serpentine is a 3 - 6 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.

Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.6

Surface Color: Green, White, Yellow, Black

Streak Color: (can vary from surface color, this is the color of the crystals’ powdered minerals): White

Group: Silicate

Cleavage (where the crystal breaks off naturally to form a new face, parallel to its structure. This is a clean break and can cleave over and over again along the same face, retaining the crystals structure): Poor to Perfect

Fracture (where you break the crystal, not on a natural cleavage):

Luster: Greasy, waxy

Tenacity: Brittle (Fibrous Serpentine is flexible)

Transparency: Translucent to Opaque

Crystal System: Monoclinic

Crystal Habit: Fibrous, Tabular, Grainy

What are the everyday uses of Serpentine?

Serpentine has been used in architecture for many years as walls, mantles, and window sills.

Fibrous versions of Serpentine are heat-resistant and do not burn, making them a great insulator. However, with further studies into asbestos, Chrysotile Serpentine, or White Asbestos, has gradually been removed from buildings over the years.

Serpentine is relatively soft for carving and polishes beautifully, making it a candidate for stone sculptures.

Serpentine is known to reduce greenhouse gases by naturally capturing and storing carbon dioxide when it weathers in rainwater. This is a stable and organic process.

Where are Serpentine rocks found?

Serpentine rocks are found worldwide. Major deposits are found in Canada, Peru, South Africa, Germany, Italy, England, China, Afghanistan, and New Zealand.

Where is Serpentine found in the US?

Serpentine from the USA is most commonly found in California. This is why it is the California state rock. Serpentine was designated as the California state rock in 1965.

In California, Serpentine soils are host to unique plants that have come to depend on this mineral in their growth cycle.

How can you tell if a Serpentine is real vs fake?

Serpentine is an abundant and affordable stone. There are not many fakes out there. Scientists do create synthetic Serpentine in laboratories because of its industrial uses, but you won't find them in the gemstone trade.

You may encounter dyed Serpentine, but these are usually dyed to simulate other crystals like Sugilite or Jade.

To tell Serpentine apart from plastic, you can use a hot pin to prick the stone. If it is real stone it won't burn, if it is plastic it will have an acrid smell. Serpentine will be weighty and cool to the touch whereas plastic will be lightweight and warm quickly.

To tell Serpentine apart from glass, you can look for air bubbles. Air bubbles are an indication of glass. Most Serpentine is much softer than glass and can easily be scratched by a piece of glass. But keep in mind, some Serpentine on the higher side of the Mohs Scale of Hardness may be equal to the hardness of glass.

Why is Serpentine called New Jade?

New Jade is a tradename given to Serpentine stone. Although it may look like Jade, it is not related to Jade.

Become familiar with both stones and learn more about Jade.

How can you tell Serpentine from Jade?

Many vendors either knowingly or unknowingly pass off Serpentine as Jade. Luckily, you can easily tell Serpentine from Jade even if you are a novice. Here are some tips:

Serpentine is much softer on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, registering 3-6 compared to Jade's 6-7. Real Jade will scratch Serpentine but Serpentine can not scratch Jade.
Serpentine may have a yellowish tinge to its green whereas Jade has a sage, or gray tone, to its green.
Serpentine is a much cheaper stone than Jade and should be priced accordingly.
Rubbing two pieces of Serpentine together will create a white powder mark which will not occur when doing the same with Jade.
Serpentine may have black Magnetite inclusions which can be drawn to a magnet that Jade does not have.
You can use a Gem testing machine to distinguish Jadeite from Serpentine (and glass), but Nephrite is not on the Gem testers yet.
Serpentine is not as dense as Jade. If you toss it in the air and catch it, it should feel lighter than Jade of the same size. Of course, it's preferable to scientifically test the density to tell them apart!

If you are aware of what you are buying, there's nothing wrong with buying Serpentine. The vendor should disclose this information. Serpentine is a wonderful stone in its own right.

What is another name for Serpentine stone?

Besides its scientific name, Serpentinite, Serpentine stone can be found under other labels as well. Here are a few names referring to Serpentine:

Atlantisite is a green Serpentine with purple Stichtite inclusions from Australia.

Bolivianite is a trade name for Ametrine or Purple Fluorite with Serpentine.

Bowenite is a translucent variety of Antigorite Serpentine with the highest hardness.

Connemara Marble is a Serpentine mottled with carbonates found in Ireland.

Greenstone can be a Nephrite Jade, Bowenite, or Serpentine from New Zealand.

Infinite Stone is a marketing term for green or greenish gray Serpentine from South Africa.

Healerite or Noble Serpentine is a trademarked term for a lime green Serpentine from Washington, USA.

Heartenite is a trademarked term for a kind of dark green Serpentine.

Korean Jade is a name to mislead people into buying Serpentine.

New Jade is a misnomer for Serpentine.

Ophicalcite is a rock composed of Calcite and Serpentine.

Ricolite is a Serpentine banded with Talc from New Mexico.

Shah Maghsoud is a marketing term for a type of Serpentine from Afghanistan.

Stone of Life is a marketing term for banded Chrysotile Serpentine.

Williamsite is a translucent version of apple-green Antigorite Serpentine with Chromite and Brucite inclusions.

What chakra is Serpentine for?

Serpentine is associated with the Heart chakra. The green colors vibrate with your love center and help to open your heart to better give and receive love.

The more yellow-toned Serpentine stones are perfect for the upper Solar Plexus. Use this at your Solar Plexus when you are dealing with emotional issues associated with love. For example, if you are going through heartbreak, you would benefit from placing yellow Serpentine at the Solar Plexus chakra and green Serpentine at the Heart chakra.

To learn more about crystals and your seven chakras, visit the Chakra Guide.

How do you take care of Serpentine crystals?

Serpentine is one of the crystals that can be cleaned in water. Run it under water and dry it completely. However, prolonged soaking is not recommended.

You should be careful using the water method if your Serpentine is in its raw form or has any natural fracture lines within its polished form. In this case, we recommend gently cleaning the crystal with a wet cloth.

Never place Serpentine in a jewelry cleaner with chemicals. It is not very durable and can scratch easily.

If you are looking to metaphysically cleanse, charge, and program crystals, visit our Crystal Care guide.

Where should you put Serpentine in your home?

In the home, Serpentine can be kept in areas where you require creative energy. If you are a cook, place it in the kitchen. If you are an artist, place it in your studio. If you are a gardener, place it in your garden.

For Feng Shui energy, place Serpentine in the "Knowledge & Growth" bottom left corner of your home. This will help lift the energy of your space to focus on a transformative new beginning.

For more on placing crystals, visit How to Clear & Fill the Home with Crystals.

How do I raise my Kundalini?

We have an in-depth article on how to raise your Kundalini energy with crystals. You will use Serpentine, Red Jasper, and Chakra crystals to awaken your Kundalini and delight in spiritual enlightenment. Learn more in How to use Crystals for Kundalini Awakening.

What does Serpentine mean in divination?

Drawing Serpentine in a gemstone divination session means:

It's time to raise your energy

Use Serpentine to lift your vibrations. You have been stale for too long, whether it's in one aspect of life or your whole life. Meditate with Serpentine, learn from your past lives, open your Heart chakra, and move forward as a strong spiritual being having the best of human experiences.

Is Serpentine a grounding stone?

While Serpentine is not a traditional grounding stone, you can use it to connect with nature and Earth Element. Its earthy green tones bond you to the natural world and balance your Heart chakra to your physical body.

To use Serpentine in grounding rituals, wear Serpentine anklets, place them on your feet, and grid your floor with Serpentine stones and boulders. Better yet, take your Serpentine stones out into the garden or park to plug into the earth's energy.

To shop for traditional grounding stones, visit Grounding Crystals.

Why is it called Serpentine?

Serpentine is named after the Latin word serpentinus meaning serpent rock because of its green color and patterned appearance.

How does Serpentine form?

Serpentine is the transformed remains of magnesium-rich rocks from the earth's mantle. These are mostly metamorphosed from the rock Peridotite (related to Peridot), meaning the Serpentine minerals transform or replace the Peridotite. This process is also known as serpentinization.

The most popular theory at the moment involves subduction zones. These are zones where ocean crust rocks meet with and slide under the edge of a continent. Because Serpentine was lighter in weight than Peridotite, it rose to the surface.

Is Serpentinite the same as Serpentine?

Serpentinite is a rock that is composed mostly of Serpentine minerals. Serpentine minerals are made up of loose sheets of silica tetrahedrons which give the stone its greasy look and slippery feel.

In the gemstone trade, Serpentinite and Serpentine refer to the same stone.

What are the three types of Serpentine?

Here are the three most common types of Serpentine.

Antigorite Serpentine creates plate-like formations and gives the Serpentinite its green color. It forms only in high temperatures whereas the other two formations only form in low temperatures.

Chrysotile Serpentine forms in tiny tubes of hollow fibers. This is what creates a fibrous stone. Chrysotile is also known as white asbestos and can be dangerous to humans. It is found in housing construction, automotive parts, and insulation. Non-fibrous Chrysotile is perfectly safe to use as gemstones.

Lizardite Serpentine creates waxy, translucent, plate-like formations and is the most common type of Serpentine. It is named for its place of discovery in the Lizard Peninsula of Cornwall, England.

Is Serpentine harmful to humans?

Serpentine itself is not harmful to humans, but when it forms under high temperatures into Chrysotile, it can be harmful.

Chrysotile Serpentine may form asbestos fibers which can be harmful to humans if ingested. It is white asbestos, different from the more hazardous blue or brown asbestos. White asbestos will eventually dissolve in lung fluids.

Keep in mind that not all Chrysotile contains asbestos. Non-fibrous Chrysotile is perfectly safe to use as gemstones. Touching Chrysotile won't hurt you, but breathing in the powdered version of this mineral for prolonged periods may.

Other forms of Serpentine like Lizardite and Antigorite do not form in fibrous asbestos veins and are perfectly safe to handle (and even lick!).

Is Serpentine safe to wear?

Serpentine is perfectly safe to wear as jewelry. Polished jewelry is created from non-fibrous Chrysotile stones, meaning they do not contain asbestos. They do not have any health risks.

Is Serpentine a marble?

Serpentine is sometimes passed off as a marble, but the two stones are not related. Serpentine is a magnesium-silicate while Marble is a Calcite based stone. Marble reacts to acid while Serpentine doesn't.

Is Serpentine a Peridot?

Although in the end, they are two different stones, Serpentine can result from Peridot. Peridot is the green gem version of Olivine. Sometimes Olivine is converted to green Serpentine in a process where the stone hydrates and reacts with water, pressure, and temperature on its way up to the surface of the earth.

They call this process serpentinization and this kind of Serpentine is a secondary mineral of Olivine.

What is the black in Serpentine?

Black inclusions within your green Serpentine stone can be Chromite or Magnetite minerals.

Is Serpentine magnetic?

Serpentine itself is not magnetic, but it can have Magnesiochromite or Magnetite inclusions which are magnetic.

Is there gold in Serpentine?

Serpentine does not often contain Gold. It is possible as they are found in the same areas, but if you see a shiny metallic golden inclusion in your Serpentine, it is most likely Fool's Gold or Pyrite.

people holding serpentine hearts and spheres

Ready to buy Serpentine?

Serpentine is a positive addition to your crystal healing collection. Shop the Serpentine Collection at Satin Crystals or buy your favorite pieces right here:

Your Serpentine Journeys

Continue on your Serpentine journeys with the following guides:

Serpentine Shopping Guides

Serpentine Reference Guides

Grow with Satin Crystals

Are you attracted to Serpentine?

Have you used Serpentine in your healing practice? Do you wear Serpentine jewelry? We would love to hear your positive comments and questions. Feel free to write to us below and we will get back to you.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for entertainment only. See full disclosure.

Name

Phone Number

Message