Ancient chrysoprase, a favorite stone for Greeks and Romans, is most prized among the many varieties of chalcedony. When worn in jewelry, chrysoprase has often been confused with imperial jadeite, but its deep apple-green color, derived from the occurrence of nickel, is unique among green stones. It’s only when the stone is subjected to much sunlight that fading occurs and allows the chrysoprase to resemble jade. A rare chalcedony, today’s chrysoprase comes from Australia, but it has also been mined in California, the Ural Mountains of Russia and parts of Austria.
In its rough form, chrysoprase has an other-worldly quality that seems to cause the stone to glow from within. Unlike most other green stones that depend on chromium or vanadium for their coloration, chrysoprase owes its beauty to compounds of nickel oxide. Irregular skeins of often contained in the stone only serve to intensify its unearthly shading. In Poland’s Upper Silesia, chrysoprase was referred to as Frankenstein. It was mined there since the 1300s, but this area faded as a productive source around 1965. Historically, chrysoprase was carved for cameos and set within silver or gold bands. Classical styles are well-rendered in chrysoprase, but even simple polished cabochons attached to chording make delightful jewels for contemporary styles.
Beautiful Chrysoprase Bracelet
The renowned jeweler Faberge is known to have a great regard for chrysoprase and used it in some of his most intricately beautiful designs. Europeans of the 18th and 19th centuries also delighted in the stone and used it extensively until it began to grow rare and, consequently quite expensive. In any case, Prussia’s Frederick the Great was so taken with chrysoprase that he had furniture and many decorative pieces entirely furnished or adorned with chrysoprase. Queen Anne of England declared it to be her favorite stone and it has remained popular in that nation ever since.
Like many stones and gemstones, chrysoprase has interesting lore associated with its ascribed properties. The ancients believed it could enhance fertility and even ward away depression. Its soothing hue was associated with spiritual guidance or protection. Legend maintains that Alexander the Great never won another battle once a snake bit away a chrysoprase stone from his girdle. And while it allegedly offers thieves the power of invisibility, it is believed that it can even mend a broken heart. The stone is especially known for its ability to encourage balance and induce clarity of thought.
On the hardness scale, chrysoprase scores seven. It is frequently fashioned into beads that tend to be more affordable than the carved cameos or intaglios of old. Because of its great ability to stand out, designs can include a mere hint of the stone to enhance their beauty. Decoratively speaking, chrysoprase is also flexible. It dresses up well with best quality gold and silver, but it looks right at home in designs that incorporate wood, quartz, turquoise, and pewter. Highly polished stones are often used in rings and earrings, but rough nuggets of chrysoprase are attractively formed in bracelets and necklaces.
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