chrysoprase

noun

chrys·​o·​prase ˈkri-sə-ˌprāz 

: an apple-green chalcedony valued as a gem

Examples of chrysoprase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While all of the four iterations of this piece are lust-worthy, the pieces set with multiple precious stones and diamonds, however, including the emerald, chrysoprase, and Paraíba version (pictured) are the ultimate collector pieces of the lot. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

Others, like chrysoprase, green chalcedony, and malachite, are perhaps less so. —Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 21 Aug. 2023

In addition to the green stones mentioned above, there are Van Cleef & Arpels designs crafted from chrysoprase and green chalcedony on exhibit. —Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 8 June 2023

Seventy-five years later the panther is as alluring as ever, perpetually reinvented in interpretations both naturalistic and abstract, in its OG emerald, onyx, and diamond combination, and also in rose gold and rubellite, chrysoprase and aquamarine. —Leena Kim, Town & Country, 4 Apr. 2023

Irene Neuwirth’s pieces are defined by bold and colorful gems, like tanzanite, chrysoprase, tourmaline, and opal, and Pam Shamshiri designed the New York outpost to match the playful, yet chic nature of her designs. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2022

Lampley herself has a collection of lockets, including a Sherman Field reversible chrysoprase stone and gold model. —Jill Newman, Town & Country, 19 Aug. 2022

Three of the dials are decorated with hardstones carved by Steenman in the shape of roses – including imperial jasper, coral, chrysoprase, mokaïte and mother-of-pearl. —Carol Besler, Forbes, 21 May 2021

Word History

Etymology

Middle English crisopace, crisopassus, crissoprassus, borrowed from Latin chrȳsoprasos, chrȳsoprasum, borrowed from Greek chrȳsóprasson, from chrȳso- chryso- + -prasos, derivative of práson "leek," probably of pre-Greek substratal origin

Note: Both Greek práson and Latin porrum "leek" can be taken back to a zero-grade *pr̥so-, but given the limited distribution of the etymon a loan from a Mediterranean language is more likely than Indo-European descent.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above