Chrysoprase
Chrysoprase – natural stone
Chrysoprase is a natural stone that is a variety of chalcedony. Its name comes from the Greek language and is a combination of two words: chrysos (gold) and prasinos (greenish). It used to occur in Poland in Lower Silesia, but its deposits have been exhausted, and currently chrysoprase stones are mainly obtained from Australia, Russia, Brazil or Zimbabwe. Chrysoprase can be found in nickel-bearing weathering zones of serpentinite rocks. Sometimes it can be found in association with nephrite because it occurs in veins in serpentinite rocks. The mineral chrysoprase is usually composed of cryptocrystalline or amorphous silicon dioxide (silica). Due to its rare occurrence in nature, it is considered one of the higher priced minerals because it is harder to obtain. The most expensive chrysoprase stones are those with an intense green color, while the more opaque and lighter pieces have a correspondingly lower price. The hardness of chrysoprase on the Mohs’ scale is 6.5-7. Interestingly, in the 19th century chrysoprase from Ząbkowice Śląskie was considered as valuable as diamonds in England.
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Chrysoprase – color
Chrysoprase is most commonly found in green color and is sometimes confused with jasper or prehnite. The most valuable chrysoprase stones are those in dark emerald green and dark apple green, but stones in other colors such as light green, blue, turquoise, yellow green, apple green, blue green or apple yellow green can also be found. The color of chrysoprase is due to the presence of nickel, and the shade of green depends on the amount of nickel in the stone. Regarding the degree of transparency of chrysoprase, varieties are known to be both slightly translucent, opaque and transparent. As for the types of chrysoprase, there is matrix chrysoprase, which has the color of the host rocks in which it occurs – white and brown.
Chrysoprase – application
The mineral chrysoprase has been used in various fields since ancient times. It was used to decorate liturgical vessels and to make amulets and talismans. Chrysoprase jewelry is often referred to as Victorian-style because during the Victorian era chrysoprase began to be used to create brooches and rings. Today, chrysoprase is a prized collector’s stone that is also used as a veneer stone and in the production of decorative objects. However, due to its unique color, it is mainly used in jewelry making to make necklaces, earrings and rings. Chrysoprase stone is mainly cut into cabochons and flats, but in our offer you will also find faceted chrysoprase.
