Stone Stories Part V: Chrysoprase

This series is intended as a love letter to the inspiration of many of my jewelry designs: rocks. With a little spit and polish, even the most humble stone can become precious. Instead of merely using traditional gemstones, I hunt for stones that in some way are like no other. As I seek to design and create one-of-a-kind adornments, I'm looking for ways to reflect the unique personality of the wearer. For me the value in these materials is their singular beauty. I hope you enjoy learning a little more about the stones I use, why I use them, and (for those who like the science) a little more information on how and where these stones are formed.

Story behind the Stone: Chrysoprase

Why this stone?

Chrysoprase (pronounced kris-uh-praiz) is the green of new leaves, of tart Granny Smith apples, of spring days when the sun warms you just enough. The pure green color of chrysoprase is beguiling. Once I became familiar with this gemstone I realized how the color and luminous translucency was specific to chrysoprase and made it so recognizable. There is no green quite like it! This is one of those gemstones that comes in a variety of colors, but they are all in verdant shades of green.  

Interestingly, chrysoprase can range from translucent to nearly opaque. Because it is a form of chalcedony its properties vary based on how and where it is formed. It's the distinctive and pure ranges of green that make it such a beautiful stone.

Chrysoprase makes a lovely accent, as well as focal stone. I enjoy pairing it with vibrant complementary colors, and the gem quality stones look amazing set in gold!

Where it is found

Australia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, Brazil, and the US have quality deposits of Chrysoprase. 

How it is formed

Chrysoprase is a form of chalcedony characterized by its bright green color. It varies in appearance from translucent to opaque and in a range of green hues, from pale mint to deep apple green. It gets its distinct green color from small amounts of nickel impurities. You can read more about how it is formed in my article on chalcedony.

Find more examples of my work featuring chrysoprase in my Eye Candy collection