Chrysoprase

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Gemstones in the Bible
Amethyst   -   Beryls   -   Diamond
Emerald   -   Jacinth   -   Jasper   -   Lapis Lazuli
Onyx   -   Ruby   -   Sapphire   -   MORE!
Chrysoprase is mentioned in the Bible as the tenth foundation gemstone of the New Jerusalem built by God (Revelation 21:20). The name of the gemstone comes from the Greek word chrusoprasos (Strong's #G5556). Strong's Concordance defines the word as a greenish yellow gem, while Thayer's states it is a green stone "inclined to that of gold."

According to the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary, which quotes Pliny the Elder, the chrysoprase recorded in Revelation 21 is somewhat pale and has the purple color of the amethyst.

Chrysoprase is not mentioned in the Bible as one which was embedded in the High Priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:17 - 21, with parallel list in Exodus 39:10 - 13). It is also not recorded in the Bible as a gemstone that Lucifer was created with (Ezekiel 28:13) before he turned himself into God's enemy.

Eight out of the ten major Bible translations used in this series translate chrusoprasos as "chrysoprase," while the other two refer to it as "chrysoprasus." This precious stone is a quartz-based gem that is a variety of chalcedony. The gem, commonly used in necklaces, receives its apple-green color from nickel.


Chrysoprase gemstone from Poland
Chrysoprase from Poland

Folklore

Placed against the body, chrysoprase was believed to produce shivering and chills that began in the chest region and spread to the entire body. Additionally it was once believed that thieves, sentenced to be beheaded or hanged, who placed this stone in his mouth, would be able to escape their executioners as if they were invisible (Curious Lore of Precious Stones, pages 11, 67 - 68).

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Biblical Gemstones
Introduction
Agate    -    Carbuncle    -    Carnelian
Chalcedony    -    Chrysolite
Coral     -     Pearl    -    Peridot
Rock Crystal    -    Topaz     -     Turquoise
High Priest Breastplate Gems
New Jerusalem Gemstones

Series References
1913 Catholic Encyclopedia
Curious Lore of Precious Stones, 1913 ed.
Diamonds, Pearls and Precious Stones, 1913 ed.
Gemstones in the Breastplate, 2008 ed.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
United States Geological Survey
Gemdat.org - Mindat.org - Wikipedia


Quotes in this series taken from
Holy Bible in Its Original Order
unless noted.


Some images used in this
series are courtesy of the
Smithsonian Minerals, Gems Collection.