Chrysoprase - Black Spinel Bracelet VI (3-4mm)

Alexander the Great wore chrysoprase into battle. He believed it made him undefeatable.

Product Highlights:

• The Stone: Two stones, one bracelet. Chrysoprase gets its apple green color from nickel, one of the rarest coloring agents in the gemstone world. It is the most valuable type of chalcedony. Black spinel is a hard mineral, scoring an 8 on the Mohs scale. This makes it harder than quartz and harder than topaz. That hardness, combined with its sharp reflective facets and pure black color, makes black spinel the top choice for black stones in fine jewelry. It does not fade, it does not dull, and it holds its polish. Both stones are faceted at 3 to 4mm to catch light from every angle. The green appears and disappears between the black as the bracelet moves on your wrist. It is finished with a sterling silver clasp.

• History: The Greeks and Romans carved chrysoprase into seals and signet rings. They often mistook it for emerald because of its vivid green color. According to medieval history, Alexander the Great wore a chrysoprase stone on his belt during every battle. He believed it brought him victory. Legend says that while he was bathing in a river, a snake carried the stone into the water. Alexander never found it again, and his winning streak ended. Chrysoprase is also named in the Book of Revelation as one of the foundation stones of the heavenly city. Frederick the Great of Prussia loved it so much that he used it to decorate his Summer Palace in the 18th century. Chrysoprase artifacts have been traced back over 9,000 years. Black spinel belongs to the same mineral family as the famous Black Prince’s Ruby in the British Crown Jewels, which is actually a red spinel. This mineral family has been fooling experts for centuries.

• The Belief: In modern crystal practice, chrysoprase is a heart chakra stone, associated with emotional balance, renewal, and forgiveness. Black spinel is associated with grounding and protection.

Our pieces are made with natural gemstones; slight variations in color, size, and pattern may occur.