Collection: Chrysoprase

Chrysoprase is an expensive gemmy apple-green translucent version of Chalcedony that is often imitated.  The name Chrysoprase is often, used incorrectly as the name of a chalky, lemon coloured stone that would more correctly be called Lemon Magnesite, or scientifically, called Nickel-Bearing Magnesite.  

'Nickel-Bearing Magnesite' has been sold as' Lemon Chrysoprase' in the crystal industry for many years and still is today. It's name is often shortened to just 'Chrysoprase', which as you can see is a different, more translucent mineral.

It forms in fractures and veins in Dunite, Peridotite and Serpentine (the same places that Chrysoprase is found).  It also forms as nodules in the soil above where those rocks are found.  Chrysoprase and Lemon Magnesite are often found in the same fractures and nodules.  Chrysoprase can be overgrown by Magnesite and Magnesite can be overgrown by Chrysoprase.

click to view Lemon (Nickel-Bearing) Magnesite aka Lemon Chrysoprase information, crystals and jewellery