7 interesting facts about chrysoprase
- Chrysoprase or chrysophrase is a gemstone variety of chalcedony that contains small quantities of nickel.
- It was a particular favorite of Frederick The Great of Prussia, who loved its bright green color.
- Chrysoprase is the most valued of all chalcedonies. Alexander the Great wore one on his girdle during all his battles.
- Unlike emerald which owes its green color to the presence of chromium, the color of chrysoprase is due to trace amounts of nickel compounds in form of very small inclusions.
- The term chrysoprase should be reserved for the natural material. It should not be applied to the green dyed chalcedony that is often sold as «green onyx».
- As with all forms of chalcedony, chrysoprase has a hardness of 6 - 7 on the Mohs hardness scale and a conchoidal fracture like flint.
- The best known sources of chrysoprase are Queensland, Western Australia, Germany, Poland, Russia, Arizona, California, and Brazil.
