It's Easy Being Green! 10 Facts about Emerald & Chrysoprase, May's Birthstones

Welcome to Rock Talk with Angel!

Hey May babies! 

Count your birthstone blessings, because you've been blessed with the queens of green:

Emerald, and alternate gemstone Chrysoprase.

Emerald is the deep green member of the Beryl group, a family that includes aquamarine, red beryl, morganite, and heliodor. Emerald has been known and loved since ancient times, and it remains one of the most highly desirable gems in the world! The emerald brings a rich color palette, unique inner landscapes, and a history of connection to love and wealth to gemstone aficionados.

Chrysoprase is the green chalcedony variety, and is the most valuable member of the Chalcedony family. Its fresh apple green shade and translucence make it a bright (and much more economical) alternative choice for May babies.

 

Read on for 10 facts about these gorgeous green gems, the primary and alternate birthstones for May!

 

10 Facts about Emerald & Chrysoprase:

1. Emerald gets its name from the ancient Greek word for green, "smaragdus". In ancient times, it was associated with everything from future sight, love, wealth, to protection against evil spells.

2. Chrysoprase is named from the Greek words for "golden apple" and "leek"--the root "prase" can also be seen in fellow green gems Prase Quartz and Prasiolite.

3. Chrysoprase was used for healing properties and ornamentation by the ancient Greeks and Romans. It's used in modern times primarily for cabochons and beads.

4. In gemstone healing practices, green gems are often associated with the heart chakra--green minerals are frequently connected to love, wealth, and healing.

5. Both Emerald and Chrysoprase are used widely in modern jewelry--the hardness of 7 (chrysoprase) and 7.5-8 (Emerald) makes these gems suitable for wear in rings, pendants, and more.

6. The most famous emeralds in history include the Mogul Mughal Emerald, the Bahia Emerald, the Chalk Emerald, and more. Many world class emerald pieces are found in museums, within the collections of worldwide royal families, and collections of American "royalty" like Elizabeth Taylor.

7.  Emerald get its green color from chromium or vanadium, depending on the origin of the gem. Chromium in particular causes inclusions within the emerald--we call this field of inclusions "jardin", and it's a sign the emerald is a natural stone. 

8. Chrysoprase gets its green color from nickel impurities--it forms in serpentine deposits. Most of the chrysoprase in the modern day is mined in Australia. 

9. Emerald has been mined since ancient Egyptian times, with the first mines dating from 330 BC. Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emeralds, and was said to have an extensive emerald collection.

10. Emeralds may be oiled, dyed, or fracture filled, as well as grown hydrothermally in a laboratory. Chrysoprase is less likely to be enhanced as it's more affordable, but can still occasionally be heat treated or dyed.

 

Meet me back here next month for a fascinating look at the gems of June!

 

What was the most surprising fact you learned about these verdant beauties? Do you prefer the richness of Emerald or the freshness of Chrysoprase? Comment below!

 

Follow Rock Talk with Angel for more interesting tidbits on the history and modern lore of the gems we love! Shop online with Phenomenal Gems for your own little piece of the mineral world, and keep an eye out for special events, promotions, and in-person booths to meet us in person. Rock on, my friends!