Being a chalcedony, Lemon chrysoprase is a silicate mineral, specifically speaking, a type of microcrystalline quartz. Some other examples of microcrystalline stones belonging to the chalcedony family include onyx, carnelian, and agate. Because Lemon chrysoprase has a beautiful apple-green color, it is often known as “the stone of spring.”

Chemically, this stone is composed of silica and nickel. Chrome chalcedony too, shares a similar appearance and composition to Lemon chrysoprase, but in the case of chrome chalcedony, the green hue is the result of the presence of chromium in place of nickel.

When it comes to the rating of Lemon chrysoprase on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, it ranks between 6.5 and 7, like most quartzes, which is why this stone is a very durable gemstone for jewelry-making. In other words, Lemon chrysoprase jewelry is long-lasting.

Also, unlike other quartz crystals such as tiger eye or amethyst, Lemon chrysoprase contains trace amounts of water present in it. This is why it has a milky iridescence – the presence of water inside Lemon chrysoprase gives its signature glow that appears within the stone rather than on the stone’s surface.