After doing considerable research on this material we have ascertained that our products are from an area in the central mountain range of Taiwan. Serpentine is one of the minerals found in veins in the stone deposits of this region. It looks similar to jade, and due to jades popularity and importance in Chinese culture, is often mistakenly referred to as “Serpentine Jade” or “Jadestone” in the trade. But don’t let this fool you, it is not jade.

Serpentine is actually the name of a mineral group of closely related material. Their crystal structure and chemical composition (Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide) are basically the same; however, they form either fine-grained, in dense compact masses or in fibrous aggregates. They occur in both metamorphic and igneous rock formations. In addition, serpentine minerals are the major constituent of the rock serpentinite.

The material is extremely suitable for carving and has been used to make beautiful containers and vessels. The bowls and vases we carry, like wood, are hand turned on a lathe from a solid piece of rock. The color variations are due to the presence of metallic oxides such as iron, chromium, chlorite, manganese and magnesium, found in the crystalline structure. After the pieces are carved and polished to a smooth, high luster finish, they are enhanced with a special patented treatment further highlighting and bringing out these gorgeous colors. They are then finished with a surface coating inside and out which gives them a hard, long lasting glossy finish, assuring you of a water tight container you can enjoy using for many years to come.