What does natural prasiolite look like?
Amazingly beautiful quartz of various shades of green is called prasiolite and translated from Greek means “onion stone”. It is believed that jewelry with this mineral attracts love, luck and prosperity to its owner. In this topic we will tell you what secrets prasiolite has, who it is suitable for and how it affects the wearer.
Origin
Humanity has been familiar with prasiolite for more than two and a half millennia. The ancient Greeks were the first to discover onion-green stone, and they also gave the mineral the corresponding name (translated from Greek prasinos – onion, litos – stone). It is a fairly hard mineral with a glassy luster and internal tints of color from lemon to emerald green, often with a grayish tint. Being exposed to bright sunlight for a long time, the stone loses its color, becoming transparent, like rock crystal. The gem has many synonyms: vermarine, peridine, chrysoquartz, Indian emerald, green amethyst. Only a few deposits are known in nature where deposits of true prasiolite were discovered: these are quartz veins in Brazil, Lower Silesia in Poland, some areas of the USA (Arizona, Nevada, California), as well as the Primorsky Territory in Russia. Crystals of a rich olive color are found in India. The amount of mined mineral is limited, so scientists have found a way to obtain a synthetic analogue by firing amethyst or colorless quartz.
Stone of Illusion
In ancient centuries, people considered all quartz (including prasiolite) to be the astral shell of the planet, and crystals to be certain conductors of signals sent to the Universe. According to popular beliefs, a gift of prasiolite is capable of conveying to a person any spiritual wish of the donor, if it is sincere: both good and not so good. Thus, the enchanted stone clearly fulfills its mission, influencing the wearer. Currently, experts claim that prasiolite is a stone of illusion. Only experienced magicians and psychics can use it in their rituals, becoming more clairvoyant and insightful with its help. But a magic crystal can confuse amateurs and give them wishful thinking. So the “onion stone” may also turn out to be “evil” for some. 
Several centuries ago, the Russian Empress Catherine the Great received as a gift from a Polish prince an openwork brooch with a beautiful stone the color of fresh mint. “This is a delightful stone,” said the noble Pole, “it gives the owner spiritual strength and helps to see through people.” The queen immediately pinned a beautiful brooch to her dress, and from that moment her intelligent, penetrating eyes shone with an extraordinary fire. Prasiolite is recommended as a gift to relatives or spiritually close people: then it acts more reliably, drives away dark thoughts and destroys fears, imparting optimism and protecting its owner from all sorts of troubles. To enhance the protective properties, the stone should be worn in a pendant – such jewelry strengthens the relationship between the owner and his guardian angel. 
In combination with silver, a prasiolite crystal can attract success in business and financial well-being: a ring with a large prasiolite is best suited as a “money magnet”. Such a talisman also patronizes merchants and businessmen, activates the sale of goods and increases profits. Astrologically, the green mineral is associated with the sensual energy of Venus, as well as Mercury and Neptune. In marriage, wearing prasiolite warms up marital passion, maintains fidelity and strengthens the family. A woman who has jewelry with a mint crystal in her arsenal will preserve her beauty and freshness for a long time. Astrologers advise Sagittarius, Aries, Pisces and Aquarius to acquire a prasiolite talisman – the stone makes representatives of these signs stronger and wiser, gives pure sincere feelings, peace and tranquility. To preserve the marvelous beauty and beneficial properties of the mineral, protect prasiolite from exposure to sunlight and cosmetics.
Therapeutic effect
The healing properties of green quartz are multifaceted. Lithotherapists claim that the stone has a beneficial effect on the respiratory and digestive organs, alleviates the symptoms of colds and promotes a speedy recovery. Washing with water infused with prasiolite refreshes and rejuvenates the skin, improves its tone and eliminates rashes. Prasiolite water should also be consumed internally periodically. The healing liquid can normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system, relieve headaches, calm the nerves, restore energy balance and strengthen the immune system. 
If you are sick, you should definitely keep a prasiolite crystal near you. This will ease the course of the disease, speed up regeneration and metabolic processes in the body, and speed up the onset of recovery. Constantly wearing a talisman made of prasiolite is useful for representatives of mental work: the stone develops thinking, forms logic, and makes imagination rich. Mysterious, tempting prasiolite enchants and makes you fall in love not only with its delicate beauty, but also with its unique beneficial properties. Its pleasant, unobtrusive shade will ideally highlight the charm of a young girl, add zest to a business woman’s office style and shine against the backdrop of a luxurious evening dress! The online store “Silver Dreams” presents to your attention a variety of jewelry with natural prasiolite. Ultra-fashionable modern design, a unique combination of silver patterns and colored gilding makes each product unique. You can select and buy jewelry with prasiolite using the link: 
“Prasiolite – what kind of stone is this?” – the first question that can be heard from people who are not familiar with this wonderful mineral. It must be said right away that this is a natural stone, not a synthesized one. Other names for prasiolite are: onion, or green amethyst. Its color is unique and comes in different shades of green.
History and origin
The history of the stone is very rich. The discoverers of the mineral are considered to be the ancient Greeks, who 2,5 thousand years ago they used “onion stone” in making jewelry. Prasiolite owes its name to its ability to lose color intensity when exposed to sunlight. After fading, its gamma is close to the color of leeks. The Middle Ages retained an aura of mystery around green amethyst. It was believed that the stone has magical properties and is able to endow the owner with insight and wisdom. Read also: Belemnite “Devil’s Finger” – a healing and magical stone By the way, a brooch with a green amethyst, received by Catherine II from the Polish king Stanislav II, was the favorite decoration of the great empress. There is evidence that Catherine did not part with the gift. Esotericists explain Catherine’s success as a politician and strategist precisely with his help.
Place of Birth
Green amethyst is a rare stone, and therefore this further increases its value. Prasiolites are not found often, but there are also large crystals among them. Deposits of prasiolites have been discovered in Russia (Primorsky Krai), Poland, Brazil, USA, India and some other places.
Perhaps the rare encounter with prasiolite is also due to the fact that when exposed to sunlight, the stone loses its color and becomes colorless, like rock crystal, which is also a type of quartz.
physical properties
Prasiolite is hard (7 on the Mohs scale) but brittle. It does not have the property of pleochromism (the ability to change shade depending on the angle of incidence of light) and does not have luminescence. Mineral semi-transparent, but there are also transparent stones. The chemical formula is identical to other representatives of quartz – SiO2.
Prasiolite colors
- Onion green. It is believed that such samples have the most powerful magical effects. This color is classic and most popular.
- Green-yellow. A popular option that is rarely found among natural stones. It is important to consider that the mixture of yellow should not be too strong.
- Dark green and emerald. Such shades are most often obtained by processing amethyst. Sometimes there are representatives with a slight blue tint.
When exposed to sunlight for a long time, the mineral loses its color completely or partially. In this case, the loss of color often leads to a predominance of a gray tint.
Varieties of prasiolite
Artificially created prasiolite is distinguished by a wide variety of shades. The color range of the synthesized gem depends on the color of the original stones (citrine and amethyst are heated to 5000 ° C, then irradiated with ultraviolet light).
But also natural minerals have a fairly large number of shades.
The rarest and most unique are lemon-colored stones. It is a collector’s item and an incredible value.
Read also: Size and weight of diamonds: tables of carat values of stones of different cuts
Are very popular crystals of onion-green and green with a yellowish tint color.
The most common options:
Physicochemical characteristics
Prasiolite belongs to the quartz group. The hardness of the stone is quite high, amounting to 7 units with a density of 2,65 g/cm3.
The color spectrum is represented by shades of green and yellow. Traditionally, light green specimens are more valued. Processed jewelry prasiolites have a glassy luster and a high level of transparency. The mineral is used not only to create jewelry, but also for industrial purposes. Prasiolite is one of the components of the composition for the production of quartz glass and fire-resistant mixtures. In addition, it is used to create parts for optical and sound devices.
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There are not only natural prasiolites on the market, but also “artificial” ones. They are obtained by heating amethyst, quartz and citrine to extremely high temperatures, which is why the stones are often called by alternative names: green amethyst and chrysoquartz.
Jewelry with stone
Due to its rarity, the mineral is highly valued, put on a par with more famous precious stones.
But due to the demand for the mineral, there is also a growing demand for artificially grown crystals, which, of course, cost several times less than natural prasiolite.
Interesting! Green amethyst in jewelry has become a symbol of sincerity, purity of thoughts and tranquility. It helps to find harmony, to reconcile your inner world with the outer.
Care
Green amethyst is fragile and requires delicate care.
Recommendations:
- Store jewelry with it away from direct sunlight. Prasiolite tends to lose color intensity when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.
- This is a fragile mineral, so try to protect prasiolite from shocks, falls and other mechanical influences.
- The best way to clean onion stone jewelry is by gentle cleaning in warm, soapy water, followed by polishing with a soft chamois leather.
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Publication from Irina Melnikova Moscow (@melnikart) Aug 22, 2021 at 4:10 PDT
Price
Cost of natural gem depends on the purity of the stone, its size, color and frame in which the crystal is enclosed.
Thus, a cut green amethyst of natural origin can cost from $30 per carat. The cost of artificial crystal is much lower, which makes jewelry with it much more affordable.
Read also: Description, characteristics and magic of pink tourmaline
Prasiolite in silver is not uncommon in jewelry stores; most often stones of soft colors are placed in light frames, while stones with more intense colors are preferred to be set in gold.
Earrings
Suitable for women of all ages. Due to the fact that the gem is set in both gold and silver, you can choose a model to suit any budget.
It is believed that wearing earrings with green amethyst will help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches, and also avoid mood swings that are typical for women on certain days.
Ring
Rings with prasiolite recommended for people with arrhythmia and tachycardia. Wearing such a talisman helps reduce the frequency of attacks.
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