The most famous green stone from Australia is Chrysoprase, a beautiful apple-green chalcedony (a type of quartz) colored by nickel, often called "Australian Jade" and mined significantly in Queensland. Other notable green stones found in Australia include green sapphires (from the corundum family) and green beryl, though chrysoprase is iconic for its rich green hue and substantial Australian production.
Chryosprase is an excellent stone for general health and keeping the body feeling young and vigorous. It is commonly used as a relaxation aid and to promote peaceful sleep. Metaphysical healers most often use Chrysoprase for recuperation following surgeries or long term illnesses.
The value of chrysoprase is influenced by several factors such as color, transparency, size, and purity of the stone itself. Specimens of chrysoprase with intense color and no inclusions are considered the most valuable.
There are several varieties of green gemstones available. They are known as green emeralds, beryl, sapphire, tanzanite, garnet, tsavorite, peridot, green aventurine, etc. Emerald is the most precious quality of all green gemstones available.
Australia's national gemstone is the opal, a stone famous across the world for its brilliant colours. In Indigenous stories, a rainbow created the colours of the opal when it touched the earth.
The rarest and most valuable gem in Australia is the Black Opal, primarily found in Lightning Ridge, NSW, known for its deep color and vibrant "play-of-color," making it highly sought after globally. While Australia produces most of the world's opals, high-quality black opal is exceptionally scarce due to unique geological conditions, making it Australia's national gemstone and a symbol of rarity.
Historically, gemstones were classified into two types: precious and semi-precious. There are only four gemstones that were classified as precious: diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire.
Most Popular Green Gemstones
JADEITE. The lustrous green of Jadeite makes it one of the most coveted gemstones in the world. Its hue ranges from a pale, translucent green to a deep shade that resembles that of an Emerald. However, Jadeite is treasured for its exceptional smoothness and glowy appearance as well as its colour.
Common green gemstones include emerald, peridot, jade, and malachite. Each bears unique characteristics, with emeralds known for their rich colour and peridot sporting a brighter olive hue. Jade is revered for its creamy texture, while malachite is easily recognized by its banded light and dark green patterns.
The Aquamarine name comes from the Latin word for seawater and is said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. It is sometimes referred to as a poor man's diamond because of the pale color.
Chrysoprase can range from $1 to $500 per carat depending on the quality, color and origin. High quality chrysoprase from Australia can cost $50 to $500 per carat. Lower quality material from other locations may be under $50 per carat.
Goshenite is a colorless gem variety of beryl. It is sometimes called the “mother of all gemstones”because it can be transformed into other gems, such as emerald, morganite, or bixbite. Goshenite is also referred to as the purest form of beryl since there are generally no other elements present in the stone.
Australian Gemstones - Chrysoprase
It is one of the rarest and most highly prized varieties of chalcedony.
Key Characteristics of Genuine Chrysoprase
Translucency: High-quality chrysoprase is usually translucent, allowing light to pass through softly. Opaque specimens or those with a cloudy appearance might indicate lower quality or fakes. Surface Texture: The surface of genuine chrysoprase should feel smooth and waxy.
Chrysoprase is the ideal stone to wear (or to give) for anyone in need of healing, peace or prosperity. If you have a relationship that needs mending or need forgiveness, this is also the stone to use.
You can wear emeralds every day, but they require extra care because their natural inclusions make them brittle and prone to chipping or cracking from impacts, unlike harder gems like diamonds, so it's best to avoid rough activities, chemicals, and sudden temperature changes. While they're hard (7.5-8 on Mohs scale), their "toughness" (resistance to breaking) is low, meaning a sharp knock can cause significant damage, especially with inclusions near the surface.
Tsavorite, the world's rarest garnet; A stunningly beautiful green gemstone that rivals any other green gem. Read on to find out why.
The Emerald: A Gem Fit for Heaven
In the Bible, emeralds are VIPs in the gemstone world. Revelation 4:3 describes God's throne surrounded by a rainbow that "shone like an emerald." Talk about a divine glow-up! This isn't just a random décor choice—green symbolizes renewal, growth, and God's unending love.
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Green minerals such as glauconite and serpentine are commonly found in settings like marine sandstones and serpentinite. Olivine, prehnite, and true jade, composed of jadeite and nephrite, are additional examples of green-colored minerals found in nature.
Rockefeller Emerald. There are many famous emeralds, but the Rockefeller emerald stands out among them all. It is not the largest emerald in the world, or even the largest gem quality emerald. However, it is the largest flawless emerald in the world and the most expensive emerald at $5.5 million USD.
Bloodstone. One of the most poignant stories of religious gemstones for the Easter season concerns bloodstone. According to the story, when Jesus hung on the cross, his blood dripped on the deep green jasper below his feet, staining it with telltale deep red spots.
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TANZANITE: ONE THOUSAND TIMES RARER THAN A DIAMOND.