Chrysoprase has been called a "Victory Stone"

The gemstone Chrysoprase is an opalescent apple green colored variety of chalcedony (quartz). Most green stones owe their color to chromium or vanadium, but chrysoprase derives its color from the nickel content.  Chrysoprase is so rare is due to the fact that it is a cryptocrystalline, this means that instead of being formed by large six sided crystals, the size of the crystals are extremely small and invisible to the naked eye. This attribute is much rarer in nature, as well as more beautiful making Chrysoprase one of the rarest form of the chalcedony group.

It is found in Australia, Brazil, the Ural Mountains, and the U.S., specifically Arizona and California.  Usually Chrysoprase is formed by deterioration or lateritization of nickeliferous serpentinites, which means that quartz stone with nickel deposits gently corrode and deteriorate causing this exotic gemstone. Usually, Chrysoprase can be found in deep veins that contain magnesite or iron and silica rocks.

 

Chrysoprase has been known to man since ancient times. The word Chrysoprase comes from Greek, “chrsyo” means gold and “prase” means leek. During ancient times it was valued and formed into cameos and intaglios by the Greeks and Romans.  Ancient Egyptians also saw the value of this fine gemstone and it was part of decorations that adorned the pharaohs.  It was used by the Greeks, Romans, and the Egyptians in jewelry and other ornamental objects and because of its semi-opaque green color, it is often mistaken for Imperial jadeite.

 

The Book of Revelations (21:20) describes the holy city of Jerusalem with its 12 foundation walls, each decorated with precious gemstones, including the tenth, being chrysoprase.  According to Alburtus Magnus: The always victorious Alexander the Great wore a chrysoprase stone in his girdle. One day a snake bit the stone off the girdle and dropped it in the river. From that time forward, Alexander never won another battle.  Chrysoprase was said to be a "Victory Stone."  It encourages fidelity in business and personal affairs.  Chrysoprase is a stone that can help us to peacefully absorb spiritual energies, and to make transformation a natural part of our daily lives.