If you are a fan of green stone, chances are you have come across the most valued chalcedony of all time: chrysoprase. Originally mined in Poland, chrysoprase can today be found in many other parts of the world, including Tanzania, Brazil, the United States, Russia, and Australia.
Australia has recently become known for its gem-grade material, particularly grades sourced from Marlborough, Queensland, in a remote part of the state, a couple of hours’ drive north of Rockhampton. The terrain is rugged, experiencing high temperatures in the mid 30s to late 30s degrees Celsius for most of the year.
Undoubtedly the best source of chrysoprase in the world, Marlborough chrysoprase rivals other chrysoprase sources vying for lucrative gem market share.
Marlborough chrysoprase is characterized by apple and mint greens devoid of black dendrites and found mainly in cavities and rough seams. The crust of the “skin” of the brute is usually whitish in color due to the silaccrete layer that helps protect the ore to maintain its nickel content and therefore its color. Marlborough chrysoprase also tends to command a higher price for its green rock.
For this reason, I have noticed a recent increase in a number of sites and merchants selling chrysoprase cabochons, brutes and jewelry such as “Marlborough chrysoprase” and a notable number of articles being submitted by various websites about the unavailability of chrysoprase brute. Marlborough. One website I know of even went so far as to state that the brute is not available to the general public and the other wrote that the mines closed long ago and were no longer mining. Both of these sites’ claims are completely false.
As far as I know, both mines are operating at full steam; one based in Hong Kong and selling mainly to China and the other an Australian operation that sells to everyone else.
Interestingly though, recently it seems that the market’s thirst for the big green has not only resulted in misinformation, but also in recent times I’ve seen an unbelievable amount of fakes, quartz injected with a color injection of chrome, glass from plain color or acid bleached amazonite. made to resemble chrysoprase, all sold for the same Marlborough price. I have noticed this particularly at the last gem fair in Shenzhen and also in many parts of China where we frequent, but also recently in internet trading. Obvious to us pieces that looked nothing like chrysoprase were selling for a hefty price.
There’s even a photo of a faux chrysoprase cabochon showing chrome color using the Chelsea/jadeite filter on my site for those of you who might be interested in a picture of what to look out for.
Interestingly, 20 years ago, chrysoprase was worth a fraction of the price it is today and continues to increase in price each year. Marlborough’s gem-grade chrysoprase is extremely rare and worth quite a bit of money, one of the many reasons why there are a growing number of substitutes, counterfeits and misrepresentations on the market.
If you are interested in genuine chrysoprase from Marlborough or Western Australia, please visit our website; we have raw chrysoprase, cabochons, jewelry and carvings available for sale soon. We are very active on Facebook and have created an Australian chrysoprase group that will bring you more information and discussions on the green front.