CHALCEDONY
extensively for bowls, vases, and ornaments. Although it is found in several colors, aventurine is usually green. It's been mistaken for jade. Most aventurine sparkles, a phenomena known as aventurescence, due to tiny bits of other materials embedded in it. Mica flakes create a gold or silver glitter; goethite and hematite inclusions result in a red or green sheen; and fushite is responsible for a glistening green. As they did with most green stones, early peoples used aventurine to soothe the eyes. It was also valued for its ability to enhance the wearer's mental acuity.
Like aventurine, bloodstone contains inclusions. Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is usually green with red spots. Deposits of iron oxide are responsible for the red, which does not glitter. One legend maintains that the red formed when drops of Christ's blood landed on green jasper at the foot of the cross.
True to its name, bloodstone has a long history of healing bleeding and diseases of the blood. People used it to stop nosebleeds and bleeding from any kind of wound, by pressing it against the afflicted area. Martyr's Stone was another name given to bloodstone, due to its extensive use by carvers to depict the crucifixion and similar scenes.
Carnelian,also called cornelian, is a well-known red chalcedony. Like bloodstone, its oranges and reds come from iron. However, the iron is distributed throughout the carnelian, rather than concentrated in spots.
Although used to stop bleeding, carnelian was more often worn to prevent skin diseases and insanity. It was also reputed to bestow courage and eloquence upon the wearer, and was especially recommended for those speaking in public.
Chrysocolla is usually a wonderful robin's egg blue, very similar in appearance to the finest turquoise. Its hues can vary from bluish-green to green. Copper is the source of the glorious colors in chrysocolla. Pure chrysocolla is too soft to use in jewelry. Only when it is formed in conjunction with quartz can it be utilized for any purpose other than as a collector's specimen.
Like most blue stones, chrysocolla is associated with peace and calm.
Chrysoprase, like chrysocolla, incorporates the Greek word for golden (chryso) in its name. Prase is from another Greek word meaning leek, and the two names describe chrysoprase's pale yellowish-green color, a result of nickel impurities. Depending on the mineral content, chrysoprase may also
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