Green crystals can come from a variety of different stones, each with their own unique properties and meanings. Some of the most common green crystals include emerald, jade, malachite, green tourmaline, chrysoprase, bloodstone, and green fluorite.
Emerald
Emerald is one of the most precious gemstones and perhaps the most famous green crystal. It is a variety of the mineral beryl that is colored green by trace amounts of chromium and/or vanadium. The vibrant green color in emeralds is unparalleled, making it a highly desirable gemstone.
Emerald crystals are treasured for their beauty and durability. They are rated at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, so they are durable enough for jewelry. Emeralds have been prized by royalty, the wealthy, and gem collectors throughout history. Some of the most famous emeralds can be found in crown jewels and royal regalia.
The largest source of quality emerald crystals is Colombia. Other sources include Brazil, Zambia, Ethiopia, Russia, India, Austria, Zimbabwe, and North Carolina in the United States. Natural emerald formations have hexagonal crystal structure and can form large, perfectly terminated points.
Metaphysically, emerald is believed to aid focus, mental clarity, and manifestation. It is associated with the heart chakra and balance. Emerald can help rid the body of negativity and soothe the eyes. It was historically carried as a protective talisman and used for medicinal purposes.
Jade
Jade is an umbrella term used for two distinct minerals – jadeite and nephrite. Both are composed of dense, tightly bound silicate minerals. The term jade can refer to any stone carved from jadeite or nephrite, or a mix of the two.
Jade crystals can form in a wide array of green shades, from pale to dark emerald green. The vibrant green color is highly valued. Jade can also be found in lavender, pink, yellow, black, orange, red, blue, and white.
For over 7,000 years jade has been treasured in Chinese and Mesoamerican cultures. The tough, dense material can be carved into beautiful artifacts like statues, ornaments, tools, weapons, and jewelry. Nephrite jade was traditionally used in China while jadeite jade was used in Central America.
Jade is believed to promote harmony, balance, prosperity, and peace. Historically it has been used to attract love and good fortune. Metaphysically, jade is known as the dreaming stone and the stone of fidelity, stimulating creativity and imagination.
Malachite
Malachite is a popular green banded mineral that has been used ornamentally and as a gemstone for thousands of years. It is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral that forms in distinct green bands. The vibrant bands range from light to dark green and are caused by varying concentrations of copper.
Malachite often forms botryoidal clusters with banded layers resembling eye patterns. The striking concentric bands make malachite easily distinguishable from other green crystals. Malachite can also form crystalline masses and aggregates.
Significant deposits of malachite come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Australia, and the southwestern United States. It is frequently mined from copper deposits and the oxidation zones of copper ore bodies. Polished malachite cabochons and tumbled stones are very popular.
Malachite has been used for thousands of years as a gemstone, pigment, and ornamental stone. Ancient Egyptians ground it to use as eye shadow. Malachite powers are believed to ease emotional turmoil, protect against negativity, and detoxify the body and spirit.
Green Tourmaline
Tourmaline refers to a group of complex, closely related minerals that form in trigonal crystals. Commonly seen tourmaline colors include green, blue, red, pink, and yellow. The green variety is known as verdelite or green tourmaline.
Green tourmaline can range from light minty greens to deep emerald greens. The vivid green comes from trace amounts of chromium, iron, or vanadium. Some green tourmaline exhibits dramatic color zoning. All tourmaline provides piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties.
Important sources of green tourmaline include Brazil, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Maine in the United States. Large perfectly terminated crystals are found in granite pegmatites and alluvial deposits.
Green tourmaline is metaphysically connected with healing powers and luck. It is thought to promote compassion, soothe the nervous system, and inspire creativity. Green tourmaline is sometimes confused with emerald because of its rich green shades.
Chrysoprase
Chrysoprase is a translucent to opaque variety of chalcedony that is colored bright green by trace amounts of nickel. It typically forms in botryoidal or mammillary aggregates that resemble cauliflower. Chrysoprase is colored by small quantities of nickel oxides.
The vivid green color resembles emerald and high quality specimens are used as gemstones. Deposits are found in Australia, Germany, Poland, Russia, Arizona, California, and Brazil. Australia produces the highest quality specimens, especially in Queensland.
Metaphysically, chrysoprase is connected to balance, healing, tranquility, and creativity. It supposedly brings happiness and relieves anxiety and depression. Chrysoprase quartz is also believed to attract prosperity and improve health and eyesight.
Bloodstone
Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a variety of opaque to translucent chalcedony containing bright red iron oxide inclusions. The “blood” red spots are caused by iron oxide hematite inclusions. Bloodstone forms from sediments rich in iron oxides.
The base colors range from dark to light green. Bloodstone’s green color comes from trace amounts of iron chlorite. The red inclusions can range from small flecks to large irregular patches. It is sometimes traded as Martian stone because the red spots look extraterrestrial.
Significant deposits are found in India, China, Australia, and the United States. Bloodstone has been used ornamentally for carvings, boxes, and seals since ancient times. Many metaphysical powers are attributed to it, especially for health and vitality.
Green Fluorite
Fluorite is a halide mineral composed of calcium fluoride crystals. It forms in cubic, octahedral, and dodecahedral habits in veins and bedding planes. Fluorite occurs globally and originates from hydrothermal processes and changes to limestone.
While fluorite comes in every color, green is an unmistakable variety. The striking green shades are caused by inclusions and impurities of rare earth elements like yttrium or cerium. Significant sources include China, Germany, Canada, and England.
Fluorite crystal healing properties are strongly based in the green variety. Green fluorite purportedly attracts money and success while enhancing mental abilities. It is thought to help organize life and remove stagnant energy. Many believe green fluorite brings healing energies to any part of the body.
Conclusion
There are many green crystals that form in nature, often colored by trace impurities. The most iconic and precious green crystal is emerald, though jade and malachite have their own legendary histories. Other notable green crystals include green tourmaline, chrysoprase, bloodstone, and green fluorite.
Each green crystal has its own unique metaphysical and healing properties based on its composition and structure. Vibrant green crystals provide the powers of healing, harmony, prosperity, balance, and creativity. They are highly valued for jewelry and have been used ornamentally for thousands of years.
| Green Crystal | Chemical Composition | Key Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald | Beryllium aluminum silicate | Colombia, Brazil, Zambia |
| Jadeite | Sodium aluminum silicate | Myanmar, China |
| Nephrite | Calcium magnesium iron silicate | Canada, China, New Zealand |
| Malachite | Copper carbonate hydroxide | Congo, Zambia, Australia |
| Green Tourmaline | Sodium iron aluminum borosilicate hydroxide | Brazil, Africa, United States |
| Chrysoprase | Silicon dioxide | Australia, Tanzania, Brazil |
| Bloodstone | Silicon dioxide | India, Australia, United States |
| Fluorite | Calcium fluoride | Mexico, China, Canada |