gemstone

Chrysoprase

Chalcedony (SiO2)

Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Apple green to dark green; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Microcrystalline quartz (trigonal); Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.58 to 2.62

Hardness: 6
Color: Apple green to dark green
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified August 3, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the secondary weathering or hydrothermal alteration of nickel-bearing serpentinites or other ultramafic rocks, where silica-rich groundwater interacts with nickel minerals.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a semi-precious gemstone in jewelry, for carvings, beads, and ornamental objects.

Geological facts

Chrysoprase gets its distinct apple-green color from trace amounts of nickel rather than chromium or vanadium. It was highly prized by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians for use in signet rings and decorative carvings.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its waxy luster, conchoidal fracture, and characteristic bright apple-green coloration. Commonly found in Australia, Germany, Poland, Russia, Arizona, and California.