Crystal Grimoire
Xiuyan Jade
Also known as: Xiu Jade, Xiu Yu, Xiuyan Yu, Anshan Jade, Manchu Jade, Chinese Serpentine Jade
Chakras: Heart, Root
Zodiac: Taurus, Virgo
Planets: Earth, Venus
Elements: Earth
Color: green, yellow-green, white, black, and mottled combinations of these
Summary
Xiuyan Jade is a serpentine stone mined in Xiuyan County, Liaoning Province, China, and stands among the oldest jade materials worked by human hands, appearing in Hongshan culture carvings thousands of years before nephrite jade became dominant in Chinese art. Unlike nephrite or jadeite, it belongs to the serpentine mineral family, typically showing mottled green, yellow, white, or black tones with a soft, waxy luster. It carries jade's traditional reputation for prosperity and protection alongside serpentine's own folklore of renewal and release.
Keywords
Often associated with: prosperity, protection, harmony, grounding, calm, balance, renewal
Spiritual meaning
In crystal tradition: Traditionally linked to ancestral memory and continuity, owing to its use in some of the earliest carved jade objects in Chinese history. Many crystal workers turn to it for a felt sense of lineage and patience, favoring gradual, grounded spiritual growth over abrupt change.
Emotional meaning
Often associated with: Associated with easing anxious, rigid thinking and restoring a settled, stable mood. Often kept close during periods of emotional renewal, when someone is trying to release grudges or move on from a stuck chapter.
Fun facts
Some of the earliest known jade carvings in the world, including the coiled pig-dragon (zhulong) figures of the Hongshan culture dated to roughly 4000-3000 BCE, were carved from Xiuyan jade, long before nephrite jade became China's dominant jade material.
Care and cleansing
Serpentine minerals are relatively soft and can scratch or dull with rough handling, so store away from harder stones. Cleanse with smoke, sound, or a brief rest near (not in direct) moonlight rather than harsh chemical or ultrasonic cleaners, and avoid prolonged water soaking.