CHRYSOPRASE, a Green variety of Chalcedony

VARIETY INFORMATION:

• VARIETY OF: Crypto-crystalline Quartz , SiO2
• USES: Gemstone and ornamental stone.
• COLOR: various shades of Green
• HARDNESS: 7
• CLEAVAGE: none
• CRYSTAL SYSTEM: none visible (actual crystals are microscopic)
• For natural Chrysoprase mineral specimens see our For Sale or Sold lists

Chrysoprase (sometimes called simply "prase", especially for darker specimens) is a fine-grained quartz whose crystals are too small to see. The color is due to the presence of nickel.

Chrysoprase is the traditional birthstone for May, and is associated with the values of fertility and secrecy.

Chrysoprase is only one of several chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz) varieties. The primary varieties are as follows:

• Agate is a banded variety (sometimes with translucent bands)
• Bloodstone is green with red speckles
• Carnelian is yellow to orange
• Chrysoprase is green
• Flint is generally black with a fibrous microscopic structure
• Jasper is any colorful chalcedony
• Onyx is black, white, or alternating black and white
• Sard is yellow to brown
• Sardonyx is banded, alternating sard and (usually white) onyx