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Green Chalcedony

Chrysoprase

A species of Chalcedony, Also known as Chrysophrase, Chrysoprasus, Prase, Mtorodite, Green Onyx

Green Chalcedony is an attractive and highly popular variety of Chalcedony that gets its apple-green color from its nickel content. It consists of a number of randomly oriented small crystals; thanks to these microcrystals, green Chalcedony appears to transmit light constantly when rotating through 360 degrees. It is regularly cut into gems, beads, and cabochons. Green Chalcedony is a birthstone of May.

Semi-precious gemstone

Hardness:

6.5 - 7

Density:

2.65 - 2.66 g/cm³

General Info About Green Chalcedony

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Physical Properties of Green Chalcedony

Luster

Waxy

Diaphaneity

Translucent

Colors

Apple-green, green

Magnetism

Non-magnetic

Tenacity

Brittle

Cleavage

None

Fracture

Conchoidal

Streak

Brown, white

Crystal System

Trigonal

Hardness

6.5 - 7 , Hard

Density

2.65 - 2.66 g/cm³, Normal Weight

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Chemical Properties of Green Chalcedony

Chemical Classification

Silicates

Formula

SiO₂

Elements listed

O, Si

Common Impurities

Iron oxides

Optical Properties of Green Chalcedony

Refractive Index

1.530-1.543

Birefringence

0.004

Pleochroism

None

Dispersion

0.013

Optical Character

Biaxial positive

Health Risk of Green Chalcedony

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What is the hazards of Green Chalcedony?

Harm Type

Physical Toxicity

Green Chalcedony in powdered form can be toxic due to its Crystalline Silica content.

Quartz, silica, crystalline silica and flint are non-toxic materials, but very fine dust containing quartz, known as respirable crystalline silicon (RCS), can cause serious and fatal lung disease. Lapidaries should exercise caution when cutting silica.

How to prevent the risks of Green Chalcedony?

Avoid long-term inhalation of its dust!

Green Chalcedony is typically non-toxic unless it's in powder form. Long-term exposure to finely ground powder may lead to silicosis. Therefore, when cutting or polishing green Chalcedony, be sure to wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling its dust.

Discover the Value of Green Chalcedony

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Rarity

Uncommon

Collection Recommendation

4.3 out of 5

Popularity

3.7

Aesthetic

4.4

Rarity

Sci-Cultural Value

3.9

The Market Price of Green Chalcedony

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Rough/Tumbled Price

Smaller Than Hand (0-1.5in)

$4 - $40

Close Hand (1.5-3in)

$35 - $80

Equal To Hand (3-6in)

$80 - $160

Bigger Than Hand (>6in)

$150

Gemstone Price

Price

$8 ~ $20 /ct

How to Care for Green Chalcedony?

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Durability

Durable

Scratch resistance

Good

Toughness of Green Chalcedony

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Green Chalcedony is a microcrystalline form of quartz known for its good resilience to breakage, making it relatively durable under daily wear.

Stability of Green Chalcedony

Sensitive

Stable

Green Chalcedony is sensitive to intense light, heat or open flames, and common household chemicals. These conditions can cause irreversible changes in the stone's appearance such as fading, discoloration, and surface damage.

More Care Tips of Green Chalcedony

Real vs Fake Green Chalcedony

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6 Ways to Tell if green Chalcedony is Real

Fake Alert Level:

Special Caution

Natural green Chalcedony is rare and often labeled with special names like "Chrysoprase," "Chrome Chalcedony," and "Prase." Most green Chalcedony in the market is actually dyed, sometimes sold as "Green Onyx." While dyed green Chalcedony is not considered fake, its price is usually much lower than that of natural green Chalcedony. Materials such as Glass, Dyed Quartzite, Serpentine, and plastic are commonly employed to mimic green Chalcedony. It's advisable to purchase from reputable retailers and, if possible, request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of green Chalcedony.

More Details About Real vs Fake

Real

Fake

Characteristics of Green Chalcedony

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Characteristics of Green Chalcedony

As with all forms of chalcedony, chrysoprase has a hardness of 6–7 on the Mohs hardness scale and a conchoidal fracture like flint.

Formation of Green Chalcedony

Chrysoprase results from the deep weathering or lateritization of nickeliferous serpentinites or other ultramafic ophiolite rocks. In the Australian deposits, chrysoprase occurs as veins and nodules with brown goethite and other iron oxides in the magnesite-rich saprolite below an iron and silica cap.

Cultural Significance of Green Chalcedony

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Uses of Green Chalcedony

Green Chalcedony has a hardness, consistency of color, and translucency that make it a valuable jewelry stone. The most typical use of this gemstone is in the manufacture of beads and cabochons. Historically, this gemstone came to prominence as a decorative stone in Europe during the 18th Century.

The Meaning of Green Chalcedony

Known to humans for thousands of years, green Chalcedony is said to have been a favorite stone of Alexander the Great, who used it as a talisman. According to a legend, Alexander the Great stopped winning the battles after losing the stone. Green Chalcedony has been cited in the Bible, where it's described as one of ten foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.

Distribution of Green Chalcedony

The best known sources of chrysoprase are Indonesia, Queensland, Western Australia, Haneti Tanzania, Germany, Poland, Russia, Arizona, California, and Brazil. Deposits in central Tanzania have been in constant production since 1986. The chrysoprase and Ni silicate ore deposit in Szklary, Lower Silesia, Poland, was probably the biggest European chrysoprase occurrence and possibly also the biggest in the world.

Mineralogy and Petrology of Green Chalcedony

Chrysoprase is cryptocrystalline, which means that it is composed of crystals so fine that they cannot be seen as distinct particles under normal magnification. This sets it apart from rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, and the other varieties of crystalline quartz. Other members of the cryptocrystalline silica family include agate, carnelian, and onyx. Unlike many non-transparent silica minerals, it is the color of chrysoprase, rather than any pattern of markings, that makes it desirable.

Etymology of Green Chalcedony

The word chrysoprase comes from the Greek χρυσός chrysos meaning 'gold' and πράσινον prasinon, meaning 'green'.

Healing Properties of Green Chalcedony

Green Chalcedony is considered a powerful healing stone that works on all of the chakras to balance the mind, body, and spirit. It removes negative energy and allows positive energy to flow through. It may help with the emotional healing of grief and despair and is often used during meditation to restore feelings of hope and enthusiasm.

Chakras

Solar Plexus, Heart