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Chrysophase
 

	The most valuable variety of Chalcedony, Chrysoprase is prized for its color and rarity. Chrysoprase is an opalescent apple green coloured variety of Chalcedony quartz.
	Also colloquially know as Cat’s Eye or Australian Jade, its name comes from the Greek words “Chrysos” meaning gold and “Prason” meaning leek, due to its color similarities with the vegetable.
	Chrysoprase was used by the Greeks, Romans and the Egyptians in jewelry and other ornamental objects. In ancient Egyptian jewelry, Chrysoprase was often set next to Lapis Lazuli.

Chrysoprase is mentioned in the bible as being one of the twelve gemstones set in the foundations of the city walls of Jerusalem (Revelations 21:19). As compiled by Andreas, Bishop of Caesurae, one of the earliest writers to tie the Apostles with the symbolism of the twelve gems of Jerusalem, Chrysoprase is the symbol of the Apostle St. Thaddeus.
 

Chrysoprase was very popular in the 14th Century when the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV used it to decorate chapels including the Chapel of Saint Wencelsas in Prague.
 

Chrysoprase can vary in color form yellowish green to apple green and grass green depending on the levels of hydrated silicates and nickel oxides present in the gem.
 

Other green Chalcedonys include Prase (a very rare less vivid green Chalecedony found in Eastern Europe and Delaware & Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) and Mtorolite (a variety of green Chalcedony colored by Chromium found in Zimbabwe).
 

Historically, Chrysoprase was mined in Bohemia, Czech Repulic but today the best and largest source is found in Malborough in Central Queensland, Australia. It is also found in Russia, Australia (Northern New South Wales), Brazil, U.S.A., Madagascar and South Africa.