• Log in
  • Cart (0)
  • Checkout
John S Brana Handmade Jewelry
John S Brana Handmade Jewelry
  • Jewelry 
    • Bracelets 
      • Bangle Bracelets
      • Chain Bracelets
      • Cuff Bracelets
      • Gemstone Bracelets
    • Earrings 
      • Chandelier Earrings
      • Drop Earrings
      • Filigree Earrings
      • Gemstone Earrings
      • Hoop Earrings
      • Post Earrings
      • Teardrop Earrings
    • Necklaces 
      • Chain Necklaces
      • Gemstone Necklaces
      • Pearl Necklaces
    • Pendants 
      • Faceted Gemstone Pendants
      • Natural Gemstone Pendants
    • Rings 
      • Band Rings
      • Gemstone Rings
  • Sale!
  • Metal 
    • Anodized Aluminum
    • Aluminum Jewelry 
      • Aluminum Bracelets
      • Aluminum Earrings
      • Aluminum Nekclaces
      • Aluminum Rings
    • Bronze Jewelry 
      • Bronze Bracelets & Cuffs
      • Bronze Earrings
      • Bronze Necklaces
      • Bronze Rings
    • Copper Jewelry 
      • Copper Bracelets
      • Copper Earrings
      • Copper Necklaces
      • Copper Band Rings
    • Nu Gold Brass Jewelry 
      • Nu Gold Brass Bracelets
      • Nu Gold Brass Earrings
      • Nu Gold Brass Necklaces
    • Silver Jewlery 
      • Silver Bracelets
      • Silver Earrings
      • Silver Necklaces
      • Silver Pendants
      • Silver Band Rings
      • Silver Gemstone Rings
    • Stainless Steel Jewelry 
      • Unisex Stainless Steel Band Rings
      • Stainless Steel Earrings
      • Stainless Steel Necklaces
    • 14K Gold Jewelry 
      • 14K Gold Bracelets
      • 14K Gold Cuffs
      • 14K Gold Earrings
      • 14K Gold Band Rings
      • 14K Gold Gemstone Rings
    • 14K Gold-filled Jewelry 
      • 14K Gold-filled Bracelets
      • 14K Gold-filled Earrings
      • 14K Gold-filled Necklaces
      • 14K Gold-filled Pendants
      • 14K Gold-filled Rings
    • 18K Jewelry
    • Vermeil Jewelry 
      • 24K Vermeil Necklaces
  • Men's 
    • Men's Bracelets 
      • Aluminum
      • Sterling Silver
    • Men's Rings 
      • Sterling Silver
      • Stainless Steel
  • Anniversary Gifts 
    • 7th Anniversasry
    • 8th Anniversary
    • 10th Anniversary
    • 11th Anniversary
    • 21st Anniversary
    • 25th Anniversary
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact
  • Blog 
    • Aluminum Jewelry Blog
    • Bronze Jewelry Blog
    • Copper Jewelry Blog
    • Gemstone Jewelry Blog
    • Gold Jewelry Blog
    • Silver Jewelry Blog
    • Stainless Steel Blog
  • Jewelry 
    • Bracelets 
      • Bangle Bracelets
      • Chain Bracelets
      • Cuff Bracelets
      • Gemstone Bracelets
    • Earrings 
      • Chandelier Earrings
      • Drop Earrings
      • Filigree Earrings
      • Gemstone Earrings
      • Hoop Earrings
      • Post Earrings
      • Teardrop Earrings
    • Necklaces 
      • Chain Necklaces
      • Gemstone Necklaces
      • Pearl Necklaces
    • Pendants 
      • Faceted Gemstone Pendants
      • Natural Gemstone Pendants
    • Rings 
      • Band Rings
      • Gemstone Rings
  • Sale!
  • Metal 
    • Anodized Aluminum
    • Aluminum Jewelry 
      • Aluminum Bracelets
      • Aluminum Earrings
      • Aluminum Nekclaces
      • Aluminum Rings
    • Bronze Jewelry 
      • Bronze Bracelets & Cuffs
      • Bronze Earrings
      • Bronze Necklaces
      • Bronze Rings
    • Copper Jewelry 
      • Copper Bracelets
      • Copper Earrings
      • Copper Necklaces
      • Copper Band Rings
    • Nu Gold Brass Jewelry 
      • Nu Gold Brass Bracelets
      • Nu Gold Brass Earrings
      • Nu Gold Brass Necklaces
    • Silver Jewlery 
      • Silver Bracelets
      • Silver Earrings
      • Silver Necklaces
      • Silver Pendants
      • Silver Band Rings
      • Silver Gemstone Rings
    • Stainless Steel Jewelry 
      • Unisex Stainless Steel Band Rings
      • Stainless Steel Earrings
      • Stainless Steel Necklaces
    • 14K Gold Jewelry 
      • 14K Gold Bracelets
      • 14K Gold Cuffs
      • 14K Gold Earrings
      • 14K Gold Band Rings
      • 14K Gold Gemstone Rings
    • 14K Gold-filled Jewelry 
      • 14K Gold-filled Bracelets
      • 14K Gold-filled Earrings
      • 14K Gold-filled Necklaces
      • 14K Gold-filled Pendants
      • 14K Gold-filled Rings
    • 18K Jewelry
    • Vermeil Jewelry 
      • 24K Vermeil Necklaces
  • Men's 
    • Men's Bracelets 
      • Aluminum
      • Sterling Silver
    • Men's Rings 
      • Sterling Silver
      • Stainless Steel
  • Anniversary Gifts 
    • 7th Anniversasry
    • 8th Anniversary
    • 10th Anniversary
    • 11th Anniversary
    • 21st Anniversary
    • 25th Anniversary
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact
  • Blog 
    • Aluminum Jewelry Blog
    • Bronze Jewelry Blog
    • Copper Jewelry Blog
    • Gemstone Jewelry Blog
    • Gold Jewelry Blog
    • Silver Jewelry Blog
    • Stainless Steel Blog

Chrysoprase

Chrysoprase – The Stone of Summer

June 18, 2006

Hammered Fine Silver Necklace with Chrysoprase

Chrysoprase (also chrysophrase) is a gemstone variety of chalcedony (fibrous form of quartz) that contains small quantities of nickel. Its color is normally apple-green, but varies to deep green. It is cryptocrystalline, which means that it is composed of crystals so fine that they cannot be seen as distinct particles under normal magnification. This sets it apart from rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, and the other varieties of crystalline quartz which are basically transparent and formed from easily recognized six-sided crystals. Other members of the cryptocrystalline quartz family include agate, carnelian, and onyx. Unlike many non-transparent members of the quartz family, it is the color of chrysoprase, rather than any pattern of markings, that makes it desirable. The word chrysoprase comes from the Greek chrysos meaning 'gold' and prason, meaning 'leek'.

Sterling Silver Tree Branch Ring with Chrysoprase Cabochon

 

Due to its comparative scarcity and pleasing green color, chrysoprase is one of the most prized varieties of quartz. Higher quality specimens often rival fine jade, for which it is sometimes mistaken. Cut into cabochons (smooth domed gems with flat backs for use in jewelry), it can be as sought after as fine amethyst. Its use in jewelry dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was fashioned into necklaces, scarabs, and objects of adornment.

Unlike emerald which owes its beautiful green color to the presence of chromium, the color of chrysoprase is due to trace amounts of nickel in the structure. The nickel reportedly occurs as platelets of the talc-like mineral willemseite. Chrysoprase results from the deep weathering or lateritization of nickeliferous serpentinites or other ultramafic ophiolite rocks. In the Australian deposits, chrysoprase occurs as veins and nodules with brown goethite and other iron oxides in the magnesite-rich saprolite below an iron and silica cap.

Chrysoprase Wire Wrapped 14K Gold-filled Hoop Earrings

 

The best known sources of chrysoprase are Australia, Germany, Poland, Russia, Arizona, California, and Brazil.

Last weekend at the International Gem & Jewelry Show in San Mateo, California, I was able to obtain some choice cabochons and beads from one of my long time vendors who’s family owns and mines Chrysoprase in Brazil. Chrysoprase has recently become an alternative to turquoise and coral, and is a great accent color for summer wardrobes. I will be posting pictures of rings, earrings, and necklaces featuring this unique gemstone as they are finished.

Continue Reading

About Us
  • About Us
  • Press
  • Events
  • Etsy Shop
  • Search
Sign up for our newsletter

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more…


  • FAQ's
  • Gift Ideas
  • Testimonials
  • Shipping Policy
  • Returns Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2023 John S Brana - Handmade Jewelry. Galleria NuVo, Inc. Powered by Shopify

Amazon American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Meta Pay Google Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa