For centuries it has been a symbol of wealth and power. Its owners have been great generals and monarchs. Today it inspires famous jewellery brands to create collections worth millions of euros.
It is its emerald green colour that has brought the mineral chrysoprase to the spotlight. In ancient times this shade of stone was often attributed magical powers. Alexander the Great, who went down in history as a conqueror who did not lose a single battle and was able to conquer most of Asia in a short time, was one of the admirers of chrysoprase. Legend has it that the general considered it his talisman and always wore it with him. When danger was imminent, the stone became cloudy, so it warned its owner and helped him to make quick decisions. According to legend, Alexander decided to take a bath in the river on his way back from an Indian expedition, so he took off all his clothes. A chrysoprase belt among other things was left on the ground. A snake crawled up to the mineral, bit it off and threw it into the water. After a while Macedonian fell ill and died in Babylon, and the mineral came to be regarded as the stone of warriors and victors.
Chrysoprase was attributed magical and healing properties primarily due to its mention in the last book of the New Testament, The Revelation of John the Evangelist, as the tenth of the twelve stones at the base of the walls of the Heavenly Jerusalem. The German theologian Raban Moor believed that each of the minerals denoted a Christian's spiritual qualities. The chrysoprase, in his opinion, reflected the deeds of the holy martyrs and their reward, as well as their irreconcilability with sin. The legend of the stone as the material of the Holy Grail cup was brought to Europe by the Crusaders. Since then, it has often been used to decorate special vessels for religious services. Other legends have it that the chrysoprase not only helps the righteous, but also the thieves. The criminals condemned to the gallows believed that it was enough to take the stone in their mouths to escape punishment. Nowadays, however, we can prove by using the scientific method, that Chysoprase won’t provide any protection against a quick fall and a tight knot... Such a pity, for the protagonist of Iron Maiden's Hallowed be Thy Name.
Chrysoprase reached its dawn of popularity in the Middle Ages. In Europe at that time, members of the nobility, successful merchants and wealthy people mainly wore jewellery and amulets with this mineral. The green colour was believed to attract money, improve business and enhance the intelligence of the wearer. The Prussian King Frederick the Great became an admirer of chrysoprase in the 18th century, and the interest in chrysoprase grew exponentially. The monarch, who became a legend during his lifetime, earned the nickname "the Great" for his military and diplomatic skills. His talent made his kingdom a powerful state with the most powerful army in Europe. Frederick adorned his crown with the mineral and always wore a ring with the stone as it was believed to increase his stamina. The general loved chrysoprase more than rubies and diamonds. This delicate green mineral was used for decorating the interiors at the royal court and in the homes of the nobility. The presence of the gem in products or decorations was perceived as a symbol of luxury and prosperity. Chrysoprase mosaics have survived in the German palace of Sans-Souci in Potsdam and St. Wenceslas Chapel in Prague. Russian monarchs were also fascinated by the legends that went around the gem. The Empress Catherine II, a great admirer of gems, had a gold ring with chrysoprase and diamonds in her collection, which is now in the Hermitage.
Three centuries later, chrysoprase is still relevant as a jewellery stone. Chrysoprase is a variety of the very common mineral chalcedony, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming one of the favourite gems of the Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery house, one of the top 5 famous jewellery brands in the world. The price of one piece with an emerald-green stone starts at half a million rubles, and one of the company's latest collections with chrysoprases, dedicated to prominent women, is estimated to cost millions of euros. Jewellery with chrysoprase can also be found in other famous brands, including Cartier, Dior, Margherita Burgener, Pomellato and Fred. Unlike other quartzes, jewelers value chrysoprase primarily for its colour, not for the original pattern on the inner cut. For this reason, jewelers often use either smoothly polished minerals or slightly faceted large fragments of the stone. The most valuable variety is the bright green, sometimes emerald chrysoprase, which lets in light almost freely. Applesauce gems have less ability to do that, so their price is much lower. The lowest price is paid for spotted stones, whose colouring is not uniform.
In addition to jewellery making, chrysoprase is also valued in lithotherapy. Today it is used as a remedy, applied to sore spots to treat gout and skin rashes. It is also used for treating eye infections and nervous disorders. It is believed that water infused with chrysoprase can cleanse the body and remove toxins.
Translated by Diego Monterrey, for Northwest Forpost.
