Chrysocolla Chalcedony Gem: Properties, Meanings & Prices

Chrysocolla chalcedony is known for being the most valuable variety of chalcedony. Why? It’s quite rare — only a few places produce good amounts — and chrysocolla chalcedony’s bright blue to green hues are the rarest color of chalcedony.

Having sold millions of gemstones both common and rare, we’ve learned quite a bit about the ins and outs of these natural treasures. Today, we’ll fill you in on all of chrysocolla chalcedony’s meanings, traits, prices, and more!

What Is Chrysocolla Chalcedony?

Chrysocolla chalcedony is a semi-precious gemstone with bright blue to green coloring. The stone’s name comes from its composition: microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) colored by the presence of chrysocolla.

Other names for chrysocolla chalcedony are:

• Chrysocolla-in-chalcedony

• Gem silica

• Gem silica chrysocolla

• Gem chrysocolla

• Chrysocolla in quartz

• Batu Bacan (in Indonesia)

By far, the most common nickname for chrysocolla chalcedony is “gem silica.”

With a resemblance to aquamarine and blue zircon, chrysocolla chalcedony can be an alternative March birthstone or December birthstone. Since it contains chrysocolla, the gem is also lucky for Taurus, Virgo, and Aquarius.

But what is the difference between chrysocolla and chrysocolla chalcedony? The differences come down to their mineral traits.

Chrysocolla Chalcedony Specifications & Characteristics

Chrysocolla chalcedony is primarily chalcedony, a type of microcrystalline quartz. All quartz stones are composed of silica, meaning silicon dioxide (SiO2), hence the name “gem silica.”

“Microcrystalline” means the crystals are too small to be seen without magnification. Most stones called “quartz” like rose quartz and amethyst are macrocrystalline, with clearly identifiable crystals.

This chalcedony variety contains chrysocolla, a substance composed of copper, hydrogen, oxygen, and silica, as a mixture or as inclusions. Whether chrysocolla is a mineral or mineraloid is debated.

The International Mineralogical Association (IMA) has approved chrysocolla as a mineral with the formula (Cu2-xAlx)H2-xSi2O5(OH)4·nH2O.

However, a 2006 Stanford study proposed that chrysocolla — with the stated formula (Cu,Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4 • nH2O — could actually be a microscopic combination of the copper hydroxide mineral spertiniite, amorphous (non-crystalline) silica, and water. Other mineralogists claim chrysocolla is a hardened silica gel.

Regardless, chrysocolla chalcedony is a mineral. In terms of optic signs, it’s uniaxial (+).

Pictured above: Crust of botryoidal, translucent, lustrous, opalescent green chalcedony formed over bright green chrysocolla from Arizona, USA; Comes with pre-1940 label from dealer Lazard Cahn | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Chrysocolla Chalcedony Habits

Regardless, chrysocolla chalcedony is a mineral found in various stunning shapes, like:

• Botryoidal (resembling bunches of grapes)

• Stalactic (resembling stalactites), often in geodes

• Nodular (rounded structure with radial crystal arrangement inside, sometimes with circular banding)

You can also find chrysocolla covered with macrocrystalline quartz druzy, but this is different from chrysocolla chalcedony.

Another similar material is chrysocolla opal. Opal is similarly composed of silica (and water) but it’s not crystalline like chalcedony.

Chrysocolla Chalcedony Properties Listed:

What are the key characteristics and properties of chrysocolla chalcedony gemstones? Here’s a list:

• Mohs hardness: 6.5 to 7

• Color: Blue, bluish-green, greenish-blue, green

• Crystal structure: Hexagonal

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy), sub-vitreous, or resinous

• Transparency: Transparent to opaque; Often uneven

• Refractive index: 1.540-1.553

• Density: 2.55-2.91

• Cleavage: None

• Fracture: Conchoidal, subconchoidal, or granular

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Fluorescence sometimes present in chalcedony - light green, yellow, or orange in LW-UV; Green, light yellow, or tan in SW-UV

• Pleochroism: None

• Birefringence: 0.004-0.009

• Dispersion: None

Chrysocolla Chalcedony History

Both chrysocolla and chalcedony go back to ancient times.

The name “chrysocolla” dates back to 315 BC, when Theophrastus coined it from the Ancient Greek terms khrusós meaning “gold” and kolla, meaning “glue” because metallurgists used chrysocolla and similar minerals to solder gold.

French mineralogist André-Jean-François-Marie Brochant de Villiers brought the name “chrysocolla” back in 1808.

The name “chalcedony” was used by ancient Roman scholar Pliny the Elder in 75 AD for translucent jaspers. Chalcedony tools go back to 30,000 BC.

Chrysocolla was approved as a mineral by the IMA in 1980. The approval was a “special procedure” because the IMA had redefined “bisbeeite” as chrysocolla in 1977.

Bisbeeite vs Chrysocolla

Bisbeeite was discovered in Bisbee, Arizona, USA, in 1915. American mineralogist Waldemar Theodore Schaller named it bisbeeite. However, Arizona specimens described in 1922 were found to actually be cyanotrichite in 1923.

Mineralogists in 1930 and 1942 proposed that bisbeeite was actually a type of plancheite or chrysocolla, respectively. Studies on African bisbeeite found that specimens were a blend of plancheite and chrysocolla or a legitimate, distinct species.

Impurities in bisbeeite specimens, along with further studies on “bisbeeite” material from the original Arizona mine, have led many to believe it’s a distinct mineral species that shouldn’t be discredited. But it’s not an official mineral yet.

Looking beyond the historical side, are there any metaphysical properties or beliefs associated with chrysocolla chalcedony?

Chrysocolla Chalcedony Meaning

Besides its fame among gemologists, chrysocolla chalcedony has also found renown among spiritual crystal healers.

The symbolism of each stone brings dual meaning to this gem. Chrysocolla symbolizes harmony, empowerment, and peace. Chalcedony also symbolizes harmony, along with acceptance and understanding.

The spiritual meaning of gem silica is tied to spiritual balance, clarity, and growth. Chrysocolla chalcedony also symbolizes serenity, self-expression, and wisdom.

Pictured above: High-quality, facet-grade chrysocolla chalcedony specimen| Image credit: Dave Ault, Flickr, CC-BY-SA-2.0

Chrysocolla Chalcedony Healing Properties

As a predominantly blue healing stone, chrysocolla chalcedony’s healing properties reflect that of other blue gemstones, encouraging greater tranquility, honesty, and intuition.

Physical Healing

Physically, chrysocolla chalcedony is believed to treat issues related to:

• Menstrual pain

• Pregnancy stress

• Hormone regulation

• Circulation

• Digestion

• Immune system function

• Eyesight

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, crystal healers recommend chrysocolla chalcedony crystals for:

• Lowering negative feelings like stress, anxiety, guilt, or anger

• Clearing the mind

• Encouraging self-reflection

• Promoting confidence

• Facilitating healthy communication

• Bringing inner peace

Chakra Healing

Chakra healing is the process of balancing one or more of your seven energy centers (chakras) connected to physical and emotional symptoms. Chrysocolla chalcedony can be used as a heart, throat, or third eye chakra stone.

The heart chakra is the center of acceptance and love. Blockages can result in feeling isolated emotionally or scared of releasing the past.

The throat chakra governs communication and self-awareness. When it’s blocked, you might feel timid or unable to express your true self.

Lastly, the third eye chakra is the center of intuition and connection to truths beyond the self. A blockage can make you feel detached, restless, or reactive.

Each of these chakras supports the next one. Opening all three with gem silica allows you to feel open to love (heart chakra), capable of expressing that love and your true self authentically (throat chakra), and ready to gain a deeper understanding of not only yourself but the world (third eye chakra).

Clearly these crystals have spiritual value, but what factors influence the pricing and valuation of chrysocolla chalcedony gemstones in the market?

Chrysocolla Chalcedony Gemstone Properties

Besides rarity, chrysocolla chalcedony’s value also depends on color, cut, clarity, transparency, and carat weight.

Color

Chrysocolla is known for its blue to green color, and silicification with chalcedony only enhances it. The copper in chrysocolla gives chrysocolla chalcedony its greenish-blue hues, similar to turquoise.

The stone often has an uneven coloring. The best specimens are usually evenly colored, highly saturated, and predominantly blue.

Note to buyers: Watch out for pictures of chrysocolla chalcedony in water — this can make the gemstone’s color seem brighter than it actually is. Perfectly uniform coloring may also be a red flag of a fake chrysocolla chalcedony.

Cut

Most chrysocolla chalcedony is cut into cabochons, which can vary in cost based on color, transparency, and cut quality. Another common cut is chrysocolla chalcedony beads.

Some material is faceted, which is rare and much more valuable (especially when the cut is done well). Pear, oval, and fancy cuts are common.

Attractive specimens may be sold rough (uncut).

Clarity & Transparency

Clarity describes the degree of visible inclusions in a gem, which can lower its transparency and value. Chrysocolla can be a visible inclusion in chalcedony, but it’s better if the stone is a mixture, with the chrysocolla disseminated as microscopic particles.

Many specimens have uneven translucence and some have brown or black matrix inclusions (from the rock it formed in). Native copper inclusions have also been found in chrysocolla chalcedony.

The best chrysocolla chalcedony stones are translucent to transparent, or at least uniformly translucent, with no visible inclusions.

Fun fact: chrysocolla isn’t the only inclusion that can make quartz blue! Other mineral inclusions that result in blue quartz include papagoite, dumortierite, lazulite, ajoite, indicolite, and shattuckite.

Carat Weight & Size

Surprisingly, chrysocolla chalcedony comes in somewhat large sizes despite its rarity:

• Faceted Gems: 2 to 25 carats, usually under 20 cts

• Cabochons: 2 to 20 carats, usually under 15 cts

• Rough: Up to 300 carats

Quality usually decreases in larger specimens, though.

Lastly, are there any known treatments or enhancements commonly applied to chrysocolla chalcedony?

Treatments & Simulants

A large part of chrysocolla chalcedony’s value is that its beautiful appearance is natural... in other words, not the result of treatments.

The steep prices and rarity of high-quality chrysocolla chalcedony has led to many simulants — meaning different stones that resemble chrysocolla chalcedony naturally or after treatments.

Some chrysocolla chalcedony simulants are:

• Greenish-blue artificial glass (sometimes colored by copper additive)

• Dyed chalcedony (easy to make because chalcedony is so porous; sometimes labeled “Peruvian chalcedony”)

• Chrysoprase (a more common but less attractive chalcedony variety)

As the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) reported in Summer 2020, many gem silica imitations come from Taiwan, where the natural chrysocolla chalcedony material is vibrant and sought-after but increasingly rare.

Back to the real deal, how is gem silica formed?

Chrysocolla Chalcedony Formation & Sources

Part of chrysocolla chalcedony’s rarity is its unique formation conditions. Chrysocolla is a secondary mineral that forms when primary copper minerals are oxidized. Meanwhile, chalcedony comes in when water containing dissolved silica seeps through, hardening around the dissolved chrysocolla through silicification.

As such, chrysocolla chalcedony is only found near small copper deposits, usually in rocks at the surface of these deposits.

Commonly associated minerals include:

• Fluorite

• Malachite

• Azurite

• Cuprite

• Shattuckite

• Dioptase

• Ceruleite

• Turquoise

• Quartz

Mining Locations

Chrysocolla chalcedony has only been found in a few places, many of which have since been depleted. Currently, the top sources are Arizona (USA), specifically the Miami-Inspiration Mine, and Indonesia.

Other chrysocolla chalcedony sources worth noting are:

• Mexico

• New Mexico, USA

• Peru

• Philippines

• Spain

• Taiwan

Taiwan is also known for producing some of the highest quality chrysocolla chalcedony, though it’s scarce. The scarcity of local material and popularity of chrysocolla chalcedony among Taiwanese buyers has raised its prices there significantly.

Speaking of prices, is gem silica expensive?

Chrysocolla Chalcedony Price & Value

Prices of chrysocolla chalcedony for sale are expectedly higher than other chalcedony varieties, which are generally quite affordable, typically only reaching $15 per carat.

Faceted chrysocolla chalcedony price per carat ranges start around $25 and reach up to $175 per carat. (Beyond your budget? High-quality faceted chrysoprase gems are usually $2 to $12 per carat!)

Cabochons range in price, starting from $20 to $30 per carat and reaching $150 to $450 per carat for top-quality specimens in large sizes.

Rough chrysocolla chalcedony can reach over $280 per ounce ($10 per gram or $2 per carat) for good-quality pieces. Overall, rough gem silica is usually around $0.80 to $1.50 per carat.

Average prices for gem silica jewelry:

• Rings: $90 to $900

• Necklaces: $50 to $800

• Cuff Bracelets: $150 to $650

• Beaded Bracelets: $100 to 550

Once you’ve bought yours, what are some tips for caring for and preserving the beauty of chrysocolla chalcedony specimens?

Chrysocolla Chalcedony Care and Maintenance

When it comes to gemstone care, natural chrysocolla chalcedony is easy to care for. You may want protective settings on rings, but you’ll be okay without them.

Clean the stone with warm water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush.

The stone has a low toxicity risk due to copper and silica, but its fairly high hardness means you’re unlikely to breathe in the dust (from fibers scratched off) that would cause any illnesses.

Store chrysocolla chalcedony away from other gemstones to avoid either getting scratched.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is chrysocolla chalcedony primarily found geographically, and what are its main mining locations?

Geographically, the most significant sources of gem-quality chrysocolla chalcedony are the USA (Arizona & New Mexico) and Peru. Indonesia, Mexico, and Taiwan are also notable sources of gem silica, with rare Taiwanese material being highly sought-after for its quality. Unfortunately, most gem silica mines only produce the material for a short amount of time.

How does chrysocolla chalcedony's color range vary, and are there any notable color variations?

All chrysocolla chalcedony stones have a shade from blue to green, but the exact shade varies. The most valuable specimens have a uniform, highly saturated blue-green color with no other undertones. Most gem silica stones are pale and mostly green, sometimes with yellowish undertones.

What are the primary uses of chrysocolla chalcedony in jewelry making and other applications?

While chalcedony and chrysocolla individually have some industrial uses, chrysocolla chalcedony isn’t used industrially. However, many artisans have created beautiful, unique chrysocolla chalcedony jewelry. Most of these pieces use gem silica cabochons, usually set as rings or pendants.

What is the difference between gem silica and aqua chalcedony?

Sometimes, they’re the same thing. “Aqua chalcedony” can refer to chalcedony colored greenish-blue to bluish-green by chrysocolla inclusions (gem silica). But chalcedony can also become green or blue for other reasons — if the cause isn’t chrysocolla, it’s a different chalcedony variety.

How can I differentiate genuine chrysocolla chalcedony specimens from similar-looking minerals?

As a valuable gemstone, unscrupulous sellers may put the “chrysocolla chalcedony” label on other stones like chrysoprase, dyed chalcedony, or even glass.

You can differentiate true gem silica from these simulants by looking for different telltale signs:

• Glass Colored by Copper: Gas bubble inclusions, uniform coloring, higher density, and lower refractive index

• Dyed Chalcedony: Missing visible chrysocolla inclusions, absorption spectrum differences — lower ratio (0.5 to 3) of integrated areas under the Cu2+ band and the structurally bonded OH band — and sometimes quench-crackled appearance resembling larimar

• Chrysoprase: Paler, greener color caused by nickel not chrysocolla-derived copper

Are there any famous or significant pieces featuring chrysocolla chalcedony gemstones?

In recent years, chrysocolla chalcedony became increasingly famous in Indonesia after it emerged as a source of the gemstone. One famous event was in 2010, when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono welcomed US President Barack Obama to the country for the first time. Yudhoyono allegedly gifted Obama a ring set with chrysocolla chalcedony mined in the Bacan Archipelago.

Pictured above: Polished nodule of silicified chrysocolla (chrysocolla chalcedony) from Miami Inspiration mine in Arizona, USA | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Cultivate Your Collection with Chrysocolla Chalcedony!

Chrysocolla chalcedony’s high value is warranted: with vibrant oceanic colors, alluring rarity, and unique formations, this stone is truly unique. It combines the one-of-a-kind vibrant chrysocolla hues with quartz’s durability to bring the best of both worlds.

Gem silica is usually sold in specialty shops, but we have plenty of gorgeous chrysocolla chalcedony to choose from!

Buy chrysocolla chalcedony gemstones today!