Stone Mania

Alexander the Great wore a piece of chrysoprase on his girdle during all of his battles.  Chrysoprase was also a favourite of Frederick the Great who loved its bright green colour.

Chrysoprase has been mentioned as early as 23 AD but it was not mined commercially until about 1740.  It was popular during the time of the Greeks and Romans when it was cut into cameos and intaglios.  The word 'Chrysoprase' comes from the Greek 'chrysos' meaning gold and 'prason' meaning leek. 

During the Middle Ages, chrysoprase was mined in Silesia, Northern Czech Republic and Southern Poland.  During that time it was used lavishly in Europe until the deposits in Silesia were exhausted and then it became rare and more expensive.  Many of the buildings in Prague today are decorated with chrysoprase including the Chapel of St. Wencelas.  Its use in jewellery has also been recorded during the Victorian era and the famous jewellery designer Peter Faberge often worked with it.

Chrysoprase has incredible colour, normally apple green but it can also vary to deep green.  It is cryptocrystalline meaning that instead of being formed by large six sided crystals, the size of the crystals are minute and invisible to the naked eye.  This attribute makes it much rarer.  Due to its comparative scarcity and amazing green colour, chrysoprase is one of the most prized varieties of quartz.  Finer quality specimens have been known to rival jade for which it is sometimes mistaken.  The finest quality chrysoprase is a rich apple green colour, without flaws, fractures, inclusions, cavities or any other imperfections.

Unlike emeralds which owe their magnificent green colour to the presence of chromium, the colour of chrysoprase is due to trace amounts of nickel.

The best known sources for chrysoprase are Queensland in Western Australia, Germany, Poland, Russia, Arizona, California and Brazil.

In crystal healing chrysoprase is used to speed the healing of any wound when held over the affected area.  It is linked with communication, balance, stability, adaptability, higher consciousness, hope and youthful zest.  It is considered a protective gemstone towards children and young animals.  It helps with greater flexibility, wisdom, generosity, self-confidence, heals depression and excess self focus and can also help with emotions and sexual imbalance.  Chrysoprase brings peace to the heart and well-being to one's emotional, mental and physical states.  It is said to be able to assist with releasing stress, healing heartbreak, calming anger and soothing fear.

Chrysoprase is graded 6.5 to 7 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

The following links offer further reading on chrysoprase

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysoprase

http://www.gemologyonline.com/chrysoprase.html

http://www.gemstoneeducation.com/Chrysoprase.htm