Chrysoprase, a gemstone that world adores

Its color is normally apple-green, but varies to deep green. The darker varieties of chrysoprase are also referred to as prase. (However, the term prase is also used to describe chlorite-included quartz, and to a certain extent is a color-descriptor, rather than a rigorously defined mineral variety.)

Chrysoprase is cryptocrystalline, which means that it is composed of crystals so fine that they cannot be seen as distinct particles under normal magnification.

This sets it apart from rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, and the other varieties of crystalline quartz which are basically transparent and formed from easily recognized six-sided crystals. Other members of the cryptocrystalline silica family include agate, carnelian, and onyx. Unlike many non-transparent silica minerals, it is the color of chrysoprase, rather than any pattern of markings, that makes it desirable.

The word chrysoprase comes from the Greek χρυσός chrysos meaning 'gold' and πράσινον prasinon, meaning 'green'.

Unlike emerald which owes its green color to the presence of chromium, the color of chrysoprase is due to trace amounts of nickel compounds in form of very small inclusions.

The nickel reportedly occurs as different silicates, like kerolite or pimelite (not NiO mineral, bunsenite, as was reported before). Chrysoprase results from the deep weathering or lateritization of nickeliferous serpentinites or other ultramafic ophiolite rocks.

Chrysoprase is the rarest of the chalcedony group of gem quartzes and is much sought after for its opalescent green colour. It is the most valuable in the chalcedony group and has long been popular as an ornamental stone.

Gem chrysoprase is of such fine translucent green colour and texture that it was at first mistaken for green Imperial jadeite. Chrysoprase has many similarities to (particularly colour) and can be confused with jadeite. It is sometimes marketed as "Australian Imperial Jade".

Chrysoprase was popular in the time of the Greeks and Romans when it was cut into cameos and intaglios. In Egypt it was set next to lapis lazuli and also made into beads.

It was used lavishly in Europe until the middle of the last century, until the deposits then being mined in Silesia were exhausted and it became rare and expensive. The great jewellery designer, Peter Carl Fabergé, in some of his most exquisite works, often used chrysoprase.

Chrysoprase was a particular favourite of Frederick the Great of Prussia. It can be seen today decorating many buildings in beautiful Prague, including the Chapel of St. Wencelas.

Through the ages, minerals and gems have been associated with different meanings and attributes.

According to the 11th Century Byzantine manuscript of Michael Psellius, chrysoprase was believed to strengthen vision and relieve internal pain.

In the Australian deposits, chrysoprase occurs as veins and nodules with brown goethite and other iron oxides in the magnesite-rich saprolite below an iron and silica cap.As with all forms of chalcedony, chrysoprase has a hardness of 6 - 7 on the Mohs hardness scale and a conchoidal fracture like flint.

The best known sources of chrysoprase are Queensland, Western Australia, Germany, Poland, Russia, Arizona, California, and Brazil. The chrysoprase and Ni silicate ore deposit in Szklary, Lower Silesia, Poland, was probably the biggest European chrysoprase occurrence and possibly also the biggest in the world.

A very similar mineral to chrysoprase is chrome chalcedony, in which the color is provided by chromium rather than nickel.

The pictures below are of jewellery available at JGjewellers

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Information from mine in Australia

Chrysoprase mines of Australia

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