Chrysoprase - The apple of my eye!

Chrysoprase is one of those stones that people either love or hate. I for one am quite a fan, both from a lapidary and an aesthetic point of view.

16.3 carat Free Form Chrysoprase Cabochon - This piece is sold


Chrsyoprase, a variety of chalcedony, gets its apple green colouring from trace amounts of nickel found within its make up and the colour variations can range from pale to deep shades of green. It is this colour variation that makes the material more sort after than other forms of chalcedony.


18mm Round Green Chalcedony (Chrysoprase) Cabochon pendant - This piece is available for purchase here

Its structure is cryptocrystalline which essentially means that tiny crystals, crystals that are so small that they cannot be seen even under normal magnification, are packed together tightly to form the semi precious material.

15.35 Carat Free Form Chrysoprase Cabochon - This piece is available for purchase here

I personally find chrysoprase an absolute pleasure to cut. It is relatively hard, with a hardness rating of around 6 on the Mohs scale, which helps to give it a wonderful shine on the finished piece. It finishes well and the colour can be spectacular.


11.95 carat Free Form Chrysoprase Cabochon - This piece is available for purchase here

Australian Chrysoprase, particular that which is found in Queensland (In particular around the Marlborough Region) is amongst the worlds most sort after. These deposits occur in veins surrounded by geothite - a brown iron rich rock. It can also be found in Western Australia, Germany, Poland, Russia, the US and Brazil. One of the biggest known deposits is located in Szklary Poland.


Chrysoprase rough - Picture obtained from here

I will generally have at least a couple of pieces of Chrysoprase available in my store, so check back regularly! And dont forget to check out our Facebook page - Stop in and say hello!

Until next time!