Chrysoprase
Variety SiO2
Also called Australian jade
Take care.
- Fades or changes in light: Keep it in the dark, out of sunlight and bright display lights.
- Sensitive to heat: Keep it away from heat and sudden changes of temperature, including hot lights and ultrasonic cleaners.
About it
Apple-green chalcedony coloured by nickel, the most valued chalcedony. Australia is the main source; the colour can fade with long exposure to heat or strong light.
- Type
- Variety
- Group
- Quartz variety (chalcedony)
- Formula
- SiO2
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5–7
- Specific gravity
- 2.57–2.64
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- waxy, vitreous (glassy)
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Colours
- apple green, bright green, yellowish green
- Transparency
- translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- none; conchoidal to uneven fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.