Chrysoprase: Australian
Occasionally mistaken for jade or emerald, Australian Chrysoprase's apple-green shade has earned it the moniker "The Stone of Venus." It is a unique and highly treasured member of the chalcedony family.
Australian chrysoprase is a green form of chalcedony of the quartz family. The presence of nickel in its elegant green shade sets it apart from other gemstones of similar color like emerald, which contains chromium. Chrysoprase is a cryptocrystalline which signifies the composition of slight crystals not viewed under normal magnification. Because of its unique attributes, the market often offers it in reduced sizes, and larger pieces are quite rare. The color of chrysoprase can fade. It is advised to cover the stone with damp fabric to help it maintain its original brilliant shade.
- The name chrysoprase is taken from the Greek words "chysos," meaning gold, and "prason," meaning leek or green. The ancient Greeks described visions of golden beads in each gemstone.
- Chrysoprase was thought to bring success in early civilizations.
- Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, was a fan of Chrysoprase and featured the stone in his ring, which he never took off.
- Alexander III, the Greek king of Macedonia, wore a lucky corset into battle embedded with a bright chrysoprase stone. Following one fateful victory bath to celebrate a triumphant operation in India, he set his girdle on the banks of the Euphrates. As it lay unattended, a snake bit off one stone and fell in the river. He failed to recover the gem and soon after his winning streak on the battle field ended.
- The chapel of St. Wenceslas of Prague hosts a variety of chrysoprase-adorned religious images. In the 14th century, a sizeable deposit of this gemstone was mined in Silesia, a southwest section of Poland.
- Chrysoprase was used to ward off negative energies and evil during the Middle Ages.
- It fosters optimism and happiness.
- It is said to speed the healing of wounds and should be placed over the impaired section of the body.
- Its vibrant green uplifts mood and improves vision.
LOCATION: Australia
We obtain Chrysoprase from the mines of Queensland in Western Australia, a major source of the finest and best quality gemstones in the world.
- Ranks 7.0 on the Mohs hardness scale.
- Colors range from green apple to deeper green tones with traces of cream and indigo. It may also have traces of yellow and light blue.
- Sourced from Queensland mines in Australia.
- Member of the chalcedony quartz family.
- Also known as Australian jade and jadine.
- 100 percent natural stone; no additional treatments.
