CHRYSOPRASE

PARCEL

This is Chrysoprase Cabochons from Tanzania as there are some inclusions which is common in this material. The colour is uniform and beautiful apple green making it perfect for jewellery.

Chrysoprase is prized for its rarity and opalescent apple-green color. Its name comes from Greek words chryso for golden and prason for leek. It is a lighter-colored form of prase. Chrysoprase occurs as nodules or fillings of clefts in serpentine rocks and in weathered materials of nickel ore deposits. Unlike most other green gemstones, which owe their color to chromium or vanadium, chrysoprase's color is derived from staining by nickel oxide.
Chrysoprase is quite often opaque, but the more translucent the gemstone, the better the quality. The highest-quality material is a rich apple-green of even color, without flaws, fractures, inclusions, cavities or other imperfections. Much of the chrysoprase used for beads has a brownish matrix. Chrysoprase is easily worked and takes a fine polish. The stone's cheerful hue can fade in sunlight and when heated. Fading occurs when dehydration robs stones of their coloring agent, and as stones dry out, they lose translucency and luster. To restore these attributes, leave stones in wet cotton or take a bath while wearing your chrysoprase jewelry.