gemstone
Chrysoprase
Chalcedony (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Apple-green to dark green due to nickel impurities; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline quartz)
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Apple-green to dark green due to nickel impurities
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Apple-green to dark green due to nickel impurities; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline quartz)
Formation & geological history
Formed by the weathering and dissolution of nickel-bearing serpentinites or other ultramafic rocks, typically in hydrothermal or supergene environments.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry, as cabochons, beads, and for ornamental carvings.
Geological facts
Chrysoprase is one of the most prized varieties of chalcedony. Its distinctive green color comes from tiny amounts of nickel-bearing silicates or oxides dispersed within the quartz matrix.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its distinctive apple-green color, waxy luster, and conchoidal fracture. Often found in deposits associated with nickel ores in Australia, Brazil, and the USA.
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