Chrysoprase Jewelry
Handcrafted chrysoprase necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, made to order in our Colorado studio. Set in sterling silver, 14K gold-fill, and solid 14K gold.
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About chrysoprase
Chrysoprase is a a green variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz, colored by trace amounts of nickel rated 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, Chrysoprase rates 6 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. For context, a steel nail is roughly 6.5, sapphire is 9, and diamond is 10. At 6 to 7, chrysoprase is in similar territory to tanzanite and softer than emerald or aquamarine. Everyday wear is fine with reasonable care in necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Ring stones benefit from a bezel or protective setting, and prolonged sunlight exposure can fade the color over time.. Its color ranges from apple-green to deep green, with a milky translucency that gives the stone a soft inner glow, with the most prized stones showing even saturation and high clarity.
Chrysoprase takes its name from the Greek chrysos, meaning golden, and prason, meaning leek, a reference to its golden-green tones. It was prized by ancient Greeks and Romans, and was a documented favorite of Alexander the Great. Frederick the Great of Prussia used chrysoprase to decorate the Sanssouci Palace at Potsdam. Today most chrysoprase comes from Queensland, Australia, where the finest apple-green material is mined, along with deposits in Brazil, Indonesia, and Tanzania.
Historically, chrysoprase has been associated with joy, new beginnings, and emotional clarity. In crystal healing and metaphysical traditions, chrysoprase is associated with the Heart Chakra. It is linked to emotional clarity, self-acceptance, and letting go of patterns driven by ego rather than genuine feeling. Practitioners often use it as a stone for forgiveness and opening to growth, themes that align naturally with spring and the May birthstone season.
Chrysoprase vs emerald
Same color family, different stones. Here's how to choose.
Chrysoprase
Emerald and chrysoprase are entirely different mineral families. Emerald is a beryl and rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale; chrysoprase is a chalcedony and rates 6 to 7. Emerald's color comes from chromium and vanadium; chrysoprase's comes from nickel.
Emerald
Emerald tends toward a deeper, richer green with visible inclusions, and carries significantly higher price points; chrysoprase reads cleaner and lighter with a milky translucency at a much more accessible cost. If you are deciding between the two for May birthstone jewelry, chrysoprase offers the green-stone story without the premium investment.
Born in May?
Chrysoprase is an alternative May birthstone alongside emerald May birthstone. For people who love the color green but prefer a softer tone or a lower price point than emerald, chrysoprase is a natural fit for May birthday jewelry. Its apple-green color reads fresh and modern, the symbolism of new beginnings suits the spring season, and the stone is meaningful enough to gift while remaining everyday-wearable.
See all May birthstones on the May birthstone jewelry hub.
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Made to order in Colorado
Every chrysoprase piece is handcrafted to order in our Steamboat Springs studio, shipped in about 10 business days, and arrives in eco-friendly gift packaging.
Chrysoprase Jewelry: Frequently Asked Questions
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Is chrysoprase the same as emerald?
No. Chrysoprase is a chalcedony (quartz family) with an apple-green color from nickel, rating 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Emerald is a beryl mineral with a deeper green from chromium, rating 7.5 to 8. Both are May birthstones but are different gemstones with different compositions, hardness, and price points.
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Can I wear chrysoprase jewelry every day?
Chrysoprase rates 6 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it appropriate for necklaces and earrings in everyday wear but requires more care in rings. Avoid hard impacts, harsh chemicals, and prolonged direct sunlight, which can gradually fade the color. Clean with mild soap, warm water, and a soft cloth.
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Is chrysoprase treated or enhanced?
No. Chrysoprase is one of the few commercially available gemstones that is not routinely treated. The apple-green color comes entirely from natural nickel content in the chalcedony crystal — no dyeing, coating, or heat treatment is applied. What you see is what the stone naturally looks like.
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What is the difference between chrysoprase and green jade?
Chrysoprase is a chalcedony (quartz) with a brighter, more saturated apple-green tone from nickel. Jade refers to two separate minerals: nephrite and jadeite. Jadeite rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale and nephrite 6 to 6.5, putting chrysoprase in a similar range. Chrysoprase is generally more transparent than jade and has a distinctive bright green that distinguishes it from the more muted tones of nephrite jade.
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What anniversary is chrysoprase associated with?
Chrysoprase is associated with the 18th wedding anniversary in some gemstone traditions. It is also a meaningful gift for May birthdays and Taurus and Gemini celebrations as the alternative May birthstone.
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What makes Erin Gallagher chrysoprase jewelry different?
Every piece is handcrafted in our Steamboat Springs, Colorado studio using genuine, untreated chrysoprase set in gold-fill, recycled sterling silver, or 14K gold. Prices start at $20 for charms and $95 for jewelry. All orders ship gift-ready and orders over $150 ship free. Our store is rated 4.7 stars across 2,656+ reviews.