Chrysoprase: A Green Chalcedony with Unique Properties
Chrysoprase, a green mineral, obtains its color from the impurities of nickel, which it contains in small amounts. It is classified as a chalcedony, a type of quartz. However, not all green chalcedony is chrysoprase. The highly coveted apple-green variety, which is almost the color of jade, clearly contains nickel and may be mixed with iron, which could account for the striking color. Chrysoprase is still a little-known variety of chalcedony, and its unique properties are not well understood. But it was certainly a somewhat overripe apple that inspired its name, which comes from the Greek word for “gold.”
Archaeological Discoveries and the Origin of Chrysoprase
At a 7,000-year-old settlement in what is now Pakistan, archaeologists found artifacts that contained chrysoprase. They don’t know where the material was mined. The name “chrysoprase” derives from the Greek words “khrysos,” or “gold,” and either “prasinos,” meaning “greenish,” or “prason,” meaning “leek.” One of the most famous buildings in Prague that is decorated with chrysoprase is the Chapel of St. Wenceslas.
Chrysoprase in Ancient Egypt and Its Healing Properties
Ancient Egyptians utilized chrysoprase to create scarabs. These beetle-shaped amulets were worn because they symbolized Re, the ancient Egyptian sun god. In the healing realm, chrysoprase is known to be “the stone of harmony and alignment.” However, if you are not careful, this quartz can fade from a lovely green to a sad hue. This is because, over time, exposure to sunlight and heat can reduce the strength of chrysoprase’s powerful properties.
Australian Citron Chrysoprase and Its Unique Characteristics
The hue of Australian citron chrysoprase is derived from nickel impurities. However, it is unlike pure chrysoprase and is instead a variant that occurs with a different mineral called nickeloan magnesite. It is also known as lemon chrysoprase.