Chrysoprase
green · Chalcedony family
| Also known as | Chalcedony (Chalcedony family) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Green |
| Mohs hardness | 6.0–7.0 |
| Lustre | Greasy, waxy |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Trigonal (quartz), monoclinic (moganite) |
| Transparency | Nearly opaque to nearly transparent |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Conchoidal, granular |
| Chemical formula | SiO 2 |
| Specific gravity | 2.651–2.91 |
What is Chrysoprase?
Chrysoprase, chrysophrase or chrysoprasus is a gemstone variety of chalcedony that contains small quantities of nickel. Its color is normally apple-green, but varies from turquoise-like cyan to deep green. The darker varieties of chrysoprase are also referred to as prase.
How to identify Chrysoprase
- Lustre: Greasy, waxy.
- Hardness: Mohs 6.0–7.0 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Trigonal (quartz), monoclinic (moganite) crystal system.
Chrysoprase in different forms
Stones often confused with Chrysoprase
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Chrysoprase?
Chrysoprase is Mohs 6.0–7.0 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Chrysoprase?
Chrysoprase is typically green (Olive to applegreen).