Rock Identifier
Chrysoprase (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2 (Chalcedony variety)) — gemstone
gemstone

Chrysoprase

Silicon Dioxide, SiO2 (Chalcedony variety)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, vibrant apple-green to dark green color, waxy to vitreous luster, and microcrystalline trigonal structure.

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Physical properties

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, vibrant apple-green to dark green color, waxy to vitreous luster, and microcrystalline trigonal structure.

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or weathered nickel-bearing serpentine rocks through the deposition of silica-rich groundwater.

Uses & applications

Widely used in high-end jewelry, decorative carvings, and as a sought-after collector gemstone.

Geological facts

Its distinct green coloration is caused by trace amounts of finely dispersed nickel rather than chromium or vanadium.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its signature apple-green color and conchoidal fracture; commonly found in Australia, Germany, Poland, and Brazil.