Prasiolite Stone: Meaning, Properties & Uses of Green Quartz

What many mistakenly refer to as “green amethyst” is actually a type of quartz crystal known as prasiolite. First found in lower Silesia, Poland in the early 1800s, the prasiolite has grown increasingly popular among jewellery designers and crystal healers alike.

This beautiful variety of green quartz is a lesser known August birthstone, along with peridot, sardonyx and spinel, and is associated with the zodiac signs of Virgo, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

What Is Prasiolite?

Prasiolite is one of the many varieties of the quartz gemstone. Sometimes also spelled “praseolite” and pronounced “PRAYS-ee-oh-light”, this gem actually originates as purple amethyst, and is then processed to transform its colour to a leafy or yellowy green.

This colour conversion may be achieved by treatment with either heat or irradiation. With heat treatment, the purple amethyst is warmed to around 500°C (932°F) to yield a green to yellow-green hue. Irradiation, meanwhile, involves irradiating natural amethyst, resulting in a pale green variety of prasiolite.

Prasiolite rarely occurs naturally, when it is heated by a type of geological metamorphism, where an ancient rock containing amethyst is heated by more recent lava flows or intrusions nearby.

What Is The Difference Between Green Amethyst And Prasiolite?

Prasiolite is sometimes erroneously referred to as “green amethyst”, a term deemed to be misleading by the Federal Trade Commission of the United States. Since amethyst must necessarily be a purple type of quartz, traders using the word “green amethyst” may be liable for prosecution by law in the US.

You may also find prasiolite advertised as lime citrine, green quartz, veregreen, and amegreen.

What Is The Meaning Of Prasiolite?

The name prasiolite is aptly derived from the Greek words for leek (prason) and stone (lithos).

For crystal healers and metaphysical practitioners, prasiolite symbolises abundance, prosperity and self-reliance. It is associated with both tranquillity and inner strength.

Benefits And Healing Properties Of Prasiolite

As a type of quartz, prasiolite possesses all of the standard benefits associated with this mineral. The gem is also imbued with its own uniquely valuable attributes in keeping with its aforementioned metaphysical significance. These benefits can be felt in the areas of physical and mental health, financial wellbeing and good fortune, and interpersonal relationships.

Prasiolite is believed to attract fortunate circumstances into the lives of those who possess it, with the specific imperative of fostering personal and fiscal independence. It nurtures clarity of thought and the insight required to identify opportunities for growth where they arise. In the pursuit of these goals, the prasiolite holder will find that they are more focused and determined.

With regard to monetary success, prasiolite assists its possessor in achieving abundance whilst simultaneously enriching the lives of those around them.

Prasiolite is also a great support to seekers of personal and spiritual growth. It engenders greater self-sufficiency, self-love and confidence. Thus, the prasiolite stone enables one to enter into relationships with others from a position of inner strength and authenticity.

The prasiolite stone is highly regarded for its power to eliminate negativity and manifest a more positive, joyful aura in those who possess it. The green quartz crystal mollifies intense emotions to allow cooler heads to prevail. Thus, the gem enables one to live in the moment and so attract warm people and healthy relationships.

Prasiolite is also said to possess powerful curative properties for physical ailments. It is the go-to crystal for healers who seek to cleanse their clients’ bodies of toxins. Additionally, this gemstone may treat ulcers, support the endocrine system, and neutralise stomach acid to aid in the absorption of nutrients. Some practitioners even believe that prasiolite has the power to assist the healing of tumours and growths.

What Chakra Is Prasiolite Good For?

The “green amethyst” is most closely associated with the heart chakra. This is why it is so often recommended as a remedy for those who have formerly been unlucky in love.

As the prasiolite stone is also associated with creativity and clear-headedness, it is a good gem to work with the third eye and crown chakras. Here, it may expand the holder’s perspective and possibly even allow them to tap into innate psychic abilities. Its resonance with these chakras also allows prasiolite to clear blockages to communication and the expression of emotion.

Additionally, this multifaceted gemstone synchronises with the vibrations of the solar plexus chakra, which is the seat of the will. This explains prasiolite’s nurturing of self-esteem and independence in those who possess it.

How To Use Prasiolite

As this gemstone is associated with the amplification of energy, it is important to consider your state of mind when wearing it or incorporating it into your meditation practice.

Used in combination with other quartz stones – especially green quartz crystals like chrysoprase and green aventurine – prasiolite’s beneficial properties as a variety of this gem will be magnified. The same applies to prasiolite’s affinity with other green gemstones.

Furthermore, the combination of prasiolite and purple amethyst is said to aid individuals in tapping into their spiritual talents. Other crystals that pair well with prasiolite include fairy stones, merlinite, muscovite, seraphinite, rainforest jasper, green moss agate, green apophyllite, seriphos green quartz, and fuchsite.

You may keep your prasiolite on your person to benefit from its healing attributes at all times. Jewellery that allows you to wear it close to the chakra on which you would most like to focus would be ideal. You may also keep your prasiolite stone in areas of your home or office where you are likely to need to harness your inner leader, keep a cool head, and tackle life with greater authenticity.

Alternatively, you can use prasiolite within a crystal grid or incorporate it into your meditation practice. It is best suited to heart-centred meditation and may be energised by mantras that focus on this area; for example, “my heart, my body, and my soul are one” or “I am strong and open in heart and mind”.

How To Care For Prasiolite

Because prasiolite is heat sensitive (remember how “green amethyst” is created out of the natural purple variety), it is important to store it away from potentially high temperatures. Such areas include fireplaces and even cars left unattended in the sun.

This type of green quartz is also highly sensitive to light and prolonged exposure to sunlight or harsh artificial light may cause its colour to fade. It is best to store it in a light proof jewellery box in a cool, dry place. Make sure that your jeweller detaches the stone from any metal setting before any adjustments are made so that this heating process does not affect the prasiolite.

Cold water and a little bit of dishwashing liquid will suffice to clean your prasiolite. Gently scrub the gem with an old nail brush before rinsing and patting it dry with a soft cloth.

What Is Prasiolite Worth?

This is a semi-precious stone and can cost anywhere from £4 to £40, depending on the colour, quality of the stone, and the location.

Is Prasiolite Rare?

There are only a few amethyst deposits in the world suitable for transformation into prasiolite. This is because they contain certain elements that turn yellow/green if carefully irradiated or heated to the correct temperature. More commonly, the trace quantities of iron in natural amethyst are what give it its characteristic purple hue, which may turn yellow or a reddish-brown under heat treatment.

Amethyst mines that yield the requisite variety to produce prasiolite are extremely limited in number. These are primarily located in Brazil, Arizona and Poland. Even fewer localities (in Poland and California) produce naturally occurring prasiolite. This natural version is thus very rare.

Lab-treated prasiolite is much easier (although not as easy as purple amethyst) to come by and jewellery featuring this stone is becoming increasingly popular.

How Can You Tell A Fake Prasiolite?

Unfortunately, identifying fake prasiolite can be almost impossible, particularly if you are trying to ascertain whether it is naturally occurring or heat-treated green quartz.

Moreover, unscrupulous dealers have been known to use low-quality amethyst to create their prasiolite. Such inferior specimens are likely to be highly susceptible to heat damage and cracking and frequently lose their colour.

According to some estimates, around 90% of the prasiolite currently on the market is counterfeit. So it is vital to do your homework and make sure you purchase from a licensed, reputable trader.