If you are a fan of the 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 30s to late 30s Celsius for most of the year.
Arguably the best source of chrysoprase in the world, Marlborough chrysoprase rivals other chrysoprase sources vying for lucrative share of the gem market.
Marlborough chrysoprase is characterized by apple-mint greens devoid of black dendrites and found primarily in cavities and rough seams. The crust of the “skin” of the rough is usually whitish in color due to the layer of silacrete that helps protect the mineral 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 dealers selling chrysoprase cabochons, roughs and jewelry as “Marlborough Chrysoprase” and a noticeable number of articles posted by various websites about the unavailability of the raw. Marlborough. One website I know of even went so far as to claim that raw is not available to the general public and the other wrote that the mines closed long ago and they 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, it seems recently that the market’s thirst for big green has not only resulted in misinformation, but in recent times I’ve seen an incredible amount of fakes, quartz injected with a chrome colored injection, glass of plain color or acid bleached amazonite. made to look like 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 were nothing like chrysoprase were selling for a high price.
There is even a photo of a faux chrysoprase cabochon showing the chrome color using the Chelsea/jadeite filter on my site for those of you who may be interested in a picture 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 every year. Marlborough Gem Grade Chrysoprase is extremely rare and worth quite a bit of money, one of many reasons there are an increasing number of substitutes, counterfeits, and misrepresentations on the market.
If you are interested in genuine Marlborough or Western Australian chrysoprase, please visit our website; we have rough 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.
