Also colloquially know as Cat’s Eye or Australian Jade, its name comes from the Greek words “chrysos” meaning hold and “prason” meaning leek, due to its color similarities with the vegetable.

One of the most coveted varieties of Chalcedony Quartz, Chrysoprase is prized for its opalescent apple green color and rarity.



Chrysoprase was used by the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians in jewelry and other ornamental objects. In ancient Egyptian jewelry, Chrysoprase was often set together with Lapis Lazuli.

Chrysoprase is mentioned in the Bible as being one of the twelve gemstones set in the foundations of the city walls of Jerusalem (Revelations 21:19) and is the symbol of the Apostle
St. Thaddeus.

Chrysoprase was very popular in the 14th century when the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV used it to decorate chapels including the Chapel of Saint Wencelsas in Prague.

Chrysoprase was also a favorite gem of Frederick the Great of Prussia and Queen Anne of England.

Chrysoprase is believed by crystal healers to increase grace and inner equilibrium.



Chrysoprase can vary in color from yellowish green to apple green and grass green depending on the levels of hydrated silicates and nickel oxides present in the gem.

Because of its semi-opaque green color, Chrysoprase was often mistaken for Imperial Jade (Jadeite).

Other types of green Chalcedony include Prase (a very rare less vivid green Chalcedony found in Eastern Europe and Delaware & Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) and Mtorolite (a variety of green Chalcedony colored by chromium found in Zimbabwe).