Chrysoprase

Posted by Maire Loughran Oct 3, 2006

Chrysoprase is not a gemstone that is very widely recognized by those outside the jewelry industry. However, the use of chrysoprase in jewelry dates back at least to early Egyptian times when it was set in the jewelry of the royalty - usually next to Lapis Lazuli.

Like all gemstones the hue of chrysoprase can vary based upon the mineral and chemical composition of the particular gemstone speciman. In this case - the amount of nickel oxide and hydrated silicates determines the color range of chrysophase from yellow to deep green.

I use Chrysoprase and Iolite as an example of combining diad colors in my article about how to use a color wheel to coordinate gemstone jewelry with your outfits.

Chrysoprase and Iolite are two colors apart on the color wheel which makes them diad colors. Lapis Lazuli, like Iolite, is a blue stone - proof that even back in ancient times the principles of the color wheel were being used to create striking gemstone combinations.