Serpentine Tower from Madagascar

Serpentine Tower from Madagascar is a hand-cut tower of natural green serpentine, polished on all four faces with a tapered point. Serpentine's mottled, waxy-looking green surface - the trait that gives the mineral group its name - comes through clearly in this cut, with darker and lighter patches running across each face. It is sourced from Madagascar, and as a natural mineral, exact color pattern and size vary piece to piece.

Quick facts

About

Serpentine is a group name for several related green minerals rather than a single species, which is why hardness across serpentine pieces can range from roughly 2.5 up to 5.5 depending on which variety dominates a given stone. This tower is cut and polished from Madagascar material into a tall, four-sided obelisk form with a flat base and tapered point, chosen for its rich, mottled green tone. It pairs well with our Serpentine Mushroom from Madagascar if you're building a serpentine display, or browse the wider grounding stones collection for more earth-toned pieces. Because it is cut from natural rough, expect the exact green tone, mottling pattern, and height to vary from piece to piece.

How to use it

This tower is typically displayed upright on a shelf, desk, or altar, point up, where the polished faces catch the light and show the green mottling. In crystal tradition, serpentine is associated with grounding and earth energy, an association drawn from crystal practice rather than a tested physical property. As a polished decorative piece, it is meant for display, not as a tool with any measurable function.

Care

Serpentine is a relatively soft mineral (Mohs 2.5-5.5) with a waxy surface that should not be soaked for long periods. Wipe it with a soft, barely damp cloth rather than submerging it, and dry it right away if it does get wet. A note on safety: some minerals in the serpentine group can occur in fibrous, asbestiform forms. Polished decorative pieces like this tower are considered safe to handle as-is, but it should never be ground, cut, sanded, or worked in any way that creates dust - never inhale dust from serpentine. Keep it as a display piece rather than a material for lapidary work at home. Place it on a stable surface, since the tapered point is the most exposed part of the shape and can chip if knocked over.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put this serpentine tower in water or soak it to cleanse it?
We recommend against soaking it. Serpentine can include softer, more porous zones and has a waxy finish that prolonged water exposure can dull; wipe it with a soft, barely damp cloth instead of submerging it.

Is serpentine safe to have in the house?
Yes, polished decorative serpentine pieces like this tower are considered safe to handle and display. The safety concern with serpentine-group minerals relates specifically to grinding, cutting, sanding, or otherwise creating dust from the raw material — not to holding or displaying a finished, polished piece.

Is the point on the tower fragile?
The tapered top is the most exposed part of this shape and can chip if the tower is knocked over onto a hard surface, so a stable spot reduces that risk.

Where does this specific tower come from?
This piece is sourced from Madagascar, one of the notable sources for decorative green serpentine used in the crystal and lapidary trade.

Can I polish or reshape it myself at home?
We would not recommend it. Grinding, cutting, or sanding serpentine can release dust that should never be inhaled, so any reshaping should be left to professional lapidaries with proper dust control.

Does serpentine have any proven health benefits?
No. This is a decorative natural stone, not a health product or medical device, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any association with grounding or balance comes from crystal tradition, not verified science.