Care and Cleaning Tips for the Chrysoprase Gemstone

Learning about all the unique yet beautiful gemstones that are created by nature sure is enlightening. We have a lovely piece to tell you about today. The Chrysoprase is considered to be one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the Chalcedony family of gemstones. It comes in on the Mohs hardness scale at 6.5 to 7 so it's a semi-hard, semi-precious gemstone.

This beautiful gemstone is typically found in an apple green to deep green color as well as many shades of green in between. Those who are not experts in jewelry or gemstones have sometimes confused Chrysoprase with fine green Jade. This gem is typically mined in various countries like South Africa, Brazil and Russia but is available from reputable gemstones sites of jewelers.

To wear the Chrysoprase, you will find that is it typically not faceted or cut like typical gemstones. It is primarily used in bead form or as cabochons in various types of jewelry settings. You will also find this lovely gemstone used in cameos as it is easy for the carver to work with.

When taking care of your Chrysoprase jewelry you want to be careful with it and never submerge it in water or chemical cleaning solutions as water and chemicals can damage the stone. You never want to store your jewelry in direct sunlight or extreme heat/cold. Your jewelry should be placed in a protective jewelry box or jewelry armoire for long lasting storage.

If your pieces need a light cleaning you can wipe them down with a damp, soft, cotton cloth. If they need a deeper cleaning then it's best to take them into a professional jeweler to get them cleaned.

This type of gemstone is gorgeous visually and wearing it will certainly compliment your style and fashion sense. Enjoy it!

by Jasmine Yesak, Contributing Editor at ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of quality jewelry boxes, jewelry organizers and watch boxes. Jasmine is a Jewelry Enthusiast and Organization Consultant, she writes about Jewelry Care and Jewelry Storage Tips.