Chrysoprase is a bright green variety of chalcedony, a microcrystalline quartz. This means that its crystals are so tiny that they can’t be seen under normal magnification. Chrysoprase’s name comes from the Greek: cyrsos (gold) and prase (leek), though some have translated it to mean a “leek-green” gem. Its distinctive green color comes from minute nickel crystals in the quartz, and it occurs as nodules or the fillings of veins in the weathered deposits of nickel ore and in serpentine rocks.
Chrysoprase is the rarest and most valuable chalcedony. Polish and Czechoslovakian mines used to supply a great deal of the gem-quality chrysoprase, but now most of the finest material, which is apple-green and translucent, comes from Queensland, Australia. The finest chrysoprase has often been mistaken for jadeite; in Asia it has been sold as “Australian Imperial Jade.”

Astrology: August birthstone, also connected with Cancer
Chakra: 4th (heart) chakra and 2nd (sacral)
Metaphysically, chrysoprase is said to balance the yin and yang energies. It’s a stone know to open and activate the heart chakra, and can be useful for helping accept oneself and others and may even help achieve a state of grace. It’s also considered a stone that can help one to speak fluently or eloquently and can counter either inferiority or superiority complexes. Like many green stones, it’s said to have a soothing energy.

The Egyptians strung chrysoprase beads with lapis lazuli and gold, an elegant combination that still holds drama and beauty. Chrysoprase’s luminous green also makes a gorgeous contrast with rubellite, pink tourmaline, ruby or possibly even carnelian or Mexican fire opal. The stone will also work well with white pearls, sugilite and amethyst, tiger’s eye, smoky quartz, and depending on the shade, turquoise and the darker opals and possibly amazonite.

Color: Green, apple green
Chemical composition: SiO2 silicon dioxide
Mohs’ hardness: 6 ½ -7
Transparency: Translucent, opaque
Luster: Vitreous to waxy
Fracture: Rough, brittle
Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal);
microcrystalline aggregates
Color of Streak: White
Cleavage: None
Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.64
Refractive index: 1.530-1.539
Dispersion: None
Pleochroism: None
Fluorescence: None
Occurrence: Australia, Austria, Brazil, India, Malagasy Republic, South Africa, Russia, Tanzania, United States (Arizona, California, Oregon)