Chrysoprase General Gemstone Details

ˈkri-sə-ˌprāz

Stone of Grace

A stone for springtime, sometimes referred to as the Mother of Jade, Chrysoprase is a beautiful opalescent apple green color of a variety of Chalcedony.  Most often green gemstones owe their color to chromium or vanadium. Chrysoprase is different though, as it derives it’s beautiful coloration from the nickel content it contains. Which means that it is possible for the color to fade if it is subjected to too much sunlight. Therefore one must pay extra attention in the care of this stone.

The name Chrysoprase is believed to come from the Greek chrysos meaning ‘gold’ and prason, meaning ‘leek’ or ‘bloom’. It is said that the Greeks may have bestowed this stone with the name due to the presence of the golden drops that appear to be contained within the stone.