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|Structure: Triclinic|Composition: Sodium calcium aluminosilicate|Moh's Hardness: 6-6½|

Chrysophrase

Coloured by its nickel content, chrysoprase or prase is a type of chalcedony, in bright apple green, or pale pistachio green which is known as 'lemon' chrysoprase.

Opaque, chrysoprase is considered the most valuable chalcedony it a favourite for beads, cabochon and carvings. Found widely in Poland, it decorates many of the buildings in Prague, including the chapel of Saint Wenceslas. Vast deposits were found in Australia in 1965.



Gold & Red Tiger's Eye, Blue Hawk's Eye
|Structure: Trigonal|Composition: Silicon dioxide|Moh's Hardness: 7|

Heat-treated Tiger-eye

Chatoyant Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye

Several stones are chatoyant, that is they show a 'cats eye' effect, these include tiger's eye, blue hawk's eye and chatoyant quartz.

Tiger's eye is formed from fibrous quartz aggregate. It is these fibres which form the cat's eye effect so often associated with tiger's eye. These fibres are a type of asbestos and hawk's eye still retains the natural blue colour of the asbestos stone. Red tiger's eye has been heat treated.

Tiger's eye is said to create order from chaos, bring harmony, clarity and focuses the mind, it protects confidence and creates courage, strengthening and calming the mind and body.