Prasiolite
Also Green amethyst
Leek-green quartz, almost always made by heating amethyst.
- Family
- Quartz
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs
- 7
- System
- Trigonal
Drag to turn
Science
Prasiolite is quartz in the yellow-green range. The name is from the Greek prason, leek. Amethyst from a few Brazilian localities turns green rather than yellow when heated, which supplies nearly all the stone in jewellery. Calling it 'green amethyst' is discouraged by trade bodies.
- Mineral
- Quartz (variety)
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Specific gravity
- 2.65
- Refractive index
- 1.544 to 1.553
- Lustre
- Vitreous
- Colours
- Green, Mint
Composition
SiO₂. Made of Silicon, Oxygen, with trace Iron responsible for colour.
Origin
- BrazilMontezuma, heated
- PolandLower Silesia, natural
- CanadaThunder Bay, natural
Filled dots are primary sources
Rarity
Natural prasiolite is rare and pale. Commercial prasiolite is Brazilian amethyst heated to about 500 °C.
- 1 Abundant
- 2 Common
- 3 Uncommon
- 4 Rare
- 5 Exceptional
Hardness
Prasiolite sits at 7 on the Mohs scale. It will scratch glass and holds a polish in daily wear.
Energy
Associations from crystal-healing tradition, recorded here as folklore. They are not medical claims.
Chakras
- Heart
- Crown
Element
- Earth
Zodiac
- Scorpio
- Capricorn
Planets
- Venus
- Neptune
Properties
- Growth
- Compassion
- Bridging heart and mind
Lore
It has no ancient history under its own name; older 'green quartz' references usually mean aventurine or chrysoprase.
Its reputation in modern practice is as a gentler, heart-directed relative of amethyst.
- NamingThe trade name 'green amethyst' is technically incorrect.
- HeatTreatment is stable and permanent.