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SiO₂
Chrysoprase
Nickel in microcrystalline quartz, not chromium, makes the apple green.
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5–7
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Colour
- green
- Element
- earth
- Chakra (tradition)
- heart
- Zodiac
- Gemini, Taurus, Libra
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- Australia, Poland
What it actually is
Chrysoprase is SiO₂ before it is a story. The lattice is trigonal, Mohs 6.5–7, and the eye meets green.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Australia, Poland. Nickel in microcrystalline quartz, not chromium, makes the apple green.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Chrysoprase to earth and to the heart centre. The old site stood it near: Gemini, Taurus, Libra.
How not to turn it to ash
Quartz will take lukewarm water and a cloth. Long sun fades amethyst and rose quartz. Perfume is a worse neighbour than dust.