The name Serpentine comes from both the serpent like patterns on the stone and the belief that the stones were protection from or curative for snake bites. The colors range from white to gray, yellow to green and brown to black and have splotches.The kinds of Serpentine usually used in jewelry are bowenite (translucent green or blue-green) and the rarer williamsite (translucent, oily green, veined or spotted with inclusions). Serpentine is found in nearly all mountain ranges throughout the world, it is one of the most readily available and easily carved of all stones. Current supplies often come from New Caledonia, Quebec, Northern California, Afganistan, UK, France, Norway, Italy, and Greece. The ancient Assyrians carried Serpentine stone seals so their deities would send double blessings. The ancient Egyptians called Serpentine "meh" and it was often used in amulets. Snakebite protection folklore comes up in several cultures: because of its mottled appearance that resembles snakeskin, Italian "Streghe" use small pebbles of Serpentine to draw out toxin. The American Zuni people use Serpentine for fetish carving. Serpentine is sometimes used to imitate jade, begin called "Korean jade", "Suzhou jade", "Styrian jade", and "New jade". Magically, Serpentine is used as protection against poisonous creatures, in meditation, especially for Heart chakra and is thought to bring peace and calm amidst turbulent times. It is also used to open the Kundalini energy of root chakra.