- What kind of stone: Ornamental;
- Deposits: Australia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Brazil;
- Colors: From bluish green to emerald green and apple green;
- Mohs hardness: 6.5-7;
- Transparency: Transparent to translucent;
- Density: 2.6 g/cm3;
- Formula: SiO2;
- Suitable for zodiac sign: Everyone except Scorpio, Leo, Libra and Aries;
- How much does it cost: from 5 to 15 $ per 1 carat.
Chrysoprase stone is usually classified as a group of ornamental, semi-precious minerals. It is famous for its magical, healing properties.
Many people choose this stone as a talisman. Even in ancient times, chrysoprase was considered a lucky stone: it was believed that it brings victories, good luck in business, luck and success.
Of course, the chic appearance of the stones also makes them popular: chrysoprase is sometimes even confused with emeralds, these green stones are so beautiful.
The mineral is in demand as a jewelry stone: beautiful jewelry is made with it. Most often, the gem is framed in gold and silver.
Origin story
Chrysoprase has long been known as an attractive semi-precious stone. It was used in Greece, Ancient Rome, and Egypt. Amulets and Hellas stones were made from chrysoprase: these products impress with their beauty, and at the same time, they are perfectly preserved.
Eastern healers also used the stone for a long time: with its help they treated nervous ailments and skin diseases. Doctors believed that it was possible to alleviate a person’s condition by applying chrysoprase to sore spots on the body.
It is known that chrysoprase became an amulet for famous historical figures. Macedonian himself considered it a stone of victory.
Even in ancient times BC, chrysoprase was a faithful companion of warriors. It is also believed that this semi-precious stone becomes an excellent patron in trade and business.
For many centuries, the mineral has been the best material for interior decoration, decorating rich houses, palaces of the nobility, as well as religious premises.
In the modern world, chrysoprase has become actively used in the jewelry industry. Jewelry looks really great with it.
Caring for jewelry with chrysoprase
Chrysoprase is not particularly durable and requires delicate care.
Decoration with chrysoprase
The general rules for precious accessories apply to the products:
- Aggressive detergents are prohibited, so products are removed before household work;
- wash with warm water and soap, wipe with a soft cloth;
- the gem and setting do not tolerate cosmetics and human sweat well, so jewelry is put on when makeup is applied; upon arriving home, remove and wipe with a damp, then dry cloth;
- It is better not to drop decorations.
Direct sunlight makes the gem fade.
Shine and saturation are restored by wrapping the jewelry insert in a wet cloth for several hours. But it is better not to bring the stone to this state, that is, not to wear jewelry on the beach or summer walks in the fresh air.
When cleaning, the frame of the accessories is treated with a cotton swab so that the metal cleaning agent does not get on the stone.
Physical properties
First of all, it is worth mentioning the basic physical properties of the mineral. Chemical formula of chrysoprase SiO2. It is a green variety of chalcedony. Inclusions of various nickel compounds determine the color of the mineral. It can be quite heterogeneous.
Here are the key physical characteristics of the stone:
- The crystals are translucent.
- The color is greenish, with blue streaks and shades.
- The density is 2.6 g/cm3.
- Hardness is in the range of 6.5 – 7.
- The shine resembles glass.
High transparency of minerals with a rich green color, close to an emerald hue. Heterogeneous stones may have natural patterns and spots.
Transparency depends on the individual instance. Light minerals can transmit light through a layer of 2 cm, and some specimens transmit color well even through a thickness of 5 cm.
Artificial mineral
Due to the fact that chrysoprase is a rare and expensive stone, fakes are often found on the market. There are three types of artificial gem:
- Dyed chalcedony. Cheaper types of chalcedony, such as agate, are colored green using nickel or artificial dyes. This option is not considered an absolute fake, but it is much cheaper and does not have healing or magical properties.
- Glass. There are two options for creating a fake. The first is painted glass. The second is a doublet (a thin plate of natural mineral sandwiched between two layers of glass).
- Catsite. This is a Chinese fake made of synthetic material. It has no value. Synthetic stones are quite hard and resemble natural gems.
How to spot a fake
In order not to purchase a fake at the price of a natural stone, it is important to know the main characteristics of natural gems and their analogues. The list provides some practical tips:
- A needle or glass shard will scratch glass and plastic imitations. Colored chalcedony cannot be detected in this way.
- It is worth examining the specimen through a magnifying glass. Natural chrysoprase is characterized by feathery and drop-shaped inclusions inside. There are no such inclusions in synthetic specimens.
- The price of a natural mineral should not be too low.
- When examining colored glass or chalcedony under a magnifying glass, blurred traces of dye become visible.
- Catsite has a uniform, rich color.
- If you put a natural gem on your cheek, after a few seconds it will remain cold, but fakes will quickly heat up.
Colors and types
Chrysoprase attracts with its depth, translucency, and subtle tints of shades.
In most cases, the color of the mineral resembles an unripe apple; it also has emerald, bluish, turquoise and mint shades. Also, there are specimens with dark tones that indicate nickel compounds.
Chrysoprase bracelet of different colors
It is customary to divide chrysoprase into 3 main types according to color:
- Emerald: this type is the most valuable, characterized by high transparency and depth of shade.
- Apple green: this stone is less translucent and may have opaque inclusions.
- Heterogeneous, spotted: specimens are ornamental and have less value.
Emerald
Apple green
Heterogeneous
Semi-precious chrysoprase is often distinguished by pure tones and bright shades. They can be lighter or darker, but they always have a blue tint.
When some specimens have a rich color, are highly translucent, and are perfectly cut, they can easily be confused with a precious emerald. They are almost as beautiful as him.
Minerals with heterogeneous colors also have their advantage - they clearly show a unique natural pattern. Each piece of jewelry with such a stone will be absolutely exclusive.
Restrictions
The energy of the stone imposes restrictions on its use. Wearing jewelry is contraindicated:
- weak-willed, shy, indecisive persons: these traits will worsen;
- children and adolescents: their psyche is weak, their character is not fully formed, plus the specifics of adolescence;
- egoists, liars, hot-tempered people.
To prevent life from going awry, it is better for such people to choose a different gem for accessories.
Esotericists have established that the energy of chrysoprase conflicts with agate, jasper, hematite, sardonyx, purple garnet, and onyx. The magical vibrations of minerals are to blame. It is better not to create such options in jewelry.
Magical properties, meaning
Since ancient times, chrysoprase has been credited with magical properties.
The mineral is widely used in yoga. Chrysoprase is believed to have a positive effect on the chest chakra (this is the area of the heart). In the Middle Ages, the stone was considered to bring victory.
There are interesting observations in Eastern magic. Many centuries ago, people were convinced that chrysoprase was able to warn of bad intentions and a person’s deceit.
When a stone reaches such a person, it begins to darken and become cloudy.
Also, chrysoprase has the following properties:
- It saves you from nightmares and restores normal sleep.
- The mineral restores relationships between people, makes them softer and more patient, protects them from conflicts and misunderstandings.
- A beautiful stone can awaken tenderness and love in a person.
- Chrysoprase can be an excellent source of optimism, self-confidence, it tones and puts you in a positive mood.
- A semi-precious stone can bring financial well-being, success in business and business.
- Chrysoprase is also beneficial in friendly relationships.
Now hereditary fortune tellers note that chrysoprase may well return peace, mutual understanding and prosperity to the home.
In addition, it can be used to check the honesty of a man’s intentions: this is very useful for girls who doubt the important step of starting a new relationship.
The rich green tint of chrysoprase also plays a significant role.
This color has the following advantages:
- Restores emotional balance.
- Creates a positive mood.
- Gives confidence and willpower.
- Provides rationality, a reasonable view of things, and can help make the right decision in a difficult situation.
The stone is unable to influence evil, negative, unbalanced and vile people. At the same time, he helps those who are honest and open. The mineral has a strong effect against unnecessary risk and adventurism.
You should choose just such a semi-precious stone as a talisman if important negotiations are coming up, you need to find like-minded people, reliable friends. Chrysoprase in silver is ideal.
The stone is optimally suited for financiers, business people, lawyers, as well as innovators in various fields, inventors, and people of creative professions.
Historical excursion
The whole world literally fell in love with the gem thanks to the great and brave Alexander the Great. The commander sincerely believed that the stone had the power to guard and protect him from the machinations of enemies.
Macedonsky constantly carried a precious talisman with him on his belt and believed that the amulet gave him courage, made him stronger, more resilient. It was believed that the stone helped the commander make decisions at important moments. There is an old legend that says that a vile snake stole the precious amulet of the Macedonian while he was bathing in the river. This happened exactly the day before his death.
The ancient Greeks did not ignore the precious stone either. They made a large number of jewelry from it, turned it into miniatures of their favorite heroes and gods, and carried it with them as amulets. If you translate the name of the stone from Greek, it will sound like “golden leek”. Of course, such a comparison may seem strange and even quite inappropriate, but if you carefully examine the precious facets, a distant similarity can still be found.
Thanks to Frederick the Great, the fashion for stone was introduced in the Middle Ages. He, like Macedonian, believed that this stone would bring many benefits to its owner and increase endurance. Jewelers enjoyed creating precious jewelry inlaid with chrysoprase, and courtiers bought jewelry with great excitement. From that time on, the stone began to be associated with wealth, power, and patronage. For more than two centuries, this gem remained very popular and beloved among the nobility.
Not only jewelers fell in love with the stone. It could be seen as a facing material. Of course, such material was very expensive, but if a nobleman, a representative of the royal family had the means, he could afford anything.
From this gem, even today in the churches of Austria and Germany you can see cups and other relics of those distant times. Precious mosaics adorn the Paris Chapel of St. Wenceslas, Potsdam Sanssouci Palace and all this splendor can be viewed by tourists.
Medicinal properties
Chrysoprase has been used in alternative medicine for many centuries. People have long been confident that this mineral has unique properties and is extremely beneficial for health.
Here are the problems for which wearing chrysoprase is recommended:
- The mineral relieves pain in the throat and ears.
- Stabilizes the functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Helps with problems with the respiratory system and asthma.
- Restores normal metabolism.
- May improve vision.
- Helps with all kinds of eye diseases.
- Useful for rheumatism.
- Relieves joint pain and stops tissue destruction.
- It is advisable to wear chrysoprase for inflammation and infectious diseases.
- The mineral helps in the fight against stressful conditions and relieves depression.
- You can cope with overwork and achieve toning of the body.
- Chrysoprase also has a beneficial effect on the body during hormonal imbalances that occur due to age-related changes.
It has been noticed that chrysoprase even has a beneficial effect on blood pressure: you can stabilize it if you regularly wear jewelry with the mineral.
It has long been believed that it is very useful to contemplate chrysoprase, especially with patterns, in a deep green tint.
In this way, people achieve improved vision, get rid of pain in the eyes, fatigue, and the feeling of being filled with sand.
Chrysoprases with delicate light green and mint shades are of great benefit: they can relieve nervous tension and stress. If you follow the science about the benefits of minerals, you must definitely use chrysoprase to restore normal sleep and get rid of nightmares.
There is also a technique that helps relieve inflammation and prevent the development of infections and colds. The stone is dipped into water and then kept in the sun for about five hours.
Such water will then have healing properties and will be able to strengthen the immune system.
It is important to remember that the stone cannot be used for a long time. It is necessary to take breaks in therapy using this mineral.
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
Let's find out which zodiac signs really benefit from wearing chrysoprase, and who should avoid contact with the stone altogether:
- Capricorns, Aquarius and Pisces should definitely wear chrysoprase. The mineral is ideal for them.
- Sagittarius, Virgo, Cancer and Taurus, Gemini need to be careful with this stone. It suits them significantly less.
- But the mineral can even cause harm , Leos and Libra, Aries They shouldn't use it.
For signs of the first group, chrysoprase can become the best patronizing stone. It will enhance all positive energy and repel negative energy. As you can see, the horoscope matters here.
Talismans and amulets
Talismans and amulets with chrysoprase have great power. Even in ancient times, people wore amulets made of this stone.
They protect from the evil eye, any negative energy, and bring good luck and success. Jewelry with minerals also become talismans: these can be rings, beads, cufflinks, earrings and other things.
Price
The jewelry market offers products for consumers of different incomes. The cost depends on the frame material and type of stone.
The indicator is the initial prices of products (rubles):
- imitation chrysoprase in jewelry alloy: ring – 256, earrings – 345, set of earrings plus ring – 1,250;
- silver: ring – 1,200, earrings – 950, brooch – 2,800;
- made of gold: ring – 6,700, earrings – 11,300;
- made of natural stone: necklace, beads – 590, bracelet – 450;
- premium segment: earrings – 58 thousand, pendant – 89 thousand rubles.
A natural cabochon costs 120-400 rubles. per carat
Chrysoprase in jewelry: how to wear?
The mineral combines optimally with gold and looks great in silver, as well as platinum. Earrings with rings, beads with necklaces, and cufflinks are made from it.
It is believed that you can wear single items with chrysoprase, sets, and large sets of several items.
But the best solution is to have one favorite thing with chrysoprase, which you will wear to all important events, meetings, and at some key moments. For example, it could be a ring or bracelet.
Style universalism
There are a huge number of options for wearing this variety of chalcedony. Looking at photos of chrysoprase in various settings and combinations with other precious stones, you are simply amazed at how cool and organic it looks in silver and gold, in the company of warm and cold gems, as well as monochrome tones.
Of course, it was previously believed that the combination of green and red, including in relation to jewelry, was bad manners. However, the current perception of style is fundamentally different from what it was even 20 years ago, not to mention older times. Nowadays you won’t surprise anyone with a riot of colors in jewelry and clothes. Chrysoprase is appropriate in any image: classic, romantic, preppy. This stone refreshes a conservative image, adds a little pepper to the delicate look, and adds a mysterious maturity to the look of the eternal schoolgirl.
How to distinguish from a fake?
To distinguish a stone from a fake, pay attention to the price: it should be adequate, and not extremely low. In addition, the size of the crystals matters: in nature they are usually small, around 2 centimeters.
When the stone is real, you can see through a magnifying glass areas of heterogeneous color, inclusions of bubbles or “feathers”. Imitation often has an unnaturally rich color.