Chrome chalcedony


Chrome chalcedony is a green variety of the mineral chalcedony, colored by small quantities of chromium.
It is most commonly found in Zimbabwe, where it is known as Mtorolite, Mtorodite, or Matorolite.

Chemical composition

Chrome chalcedony is similar in appearance to the better known chrysoprase, but differs in that whilst chrome chalcedony is colored by chromium, chrysoprase is colored by nickel. The two can be distinguished with a Chelsea color filter, as chrome chalcedony will appear red, whilst chrysoprase will appear green. Chrome chalcedony may also contain tiny black specks of chromite.
Chrome chalcedony is a variety of chalcedony. This is a cryptocrystalline form of silica, consisting of fine intergrowths of the minerals quartz and moganite.

Locality

Chrome chalcedony occurs in Zimbabwe, principally near to the mining town of Mtoroshanga, located on the Great Dyke geological feature. It has also been discovered in western Australia, the Balkans, Bolivia, Turkey and the Ural mountains.

Ancient history

Chrome chalcedony was widely used in jewellery and seals throughout the Roman Empire. The source of the mineral is unclear, as whilst Pliny the Elder described it as coming from India, no deposits have been found there. It may have come from Anatolia, where deposits are known to exist.
Chrome chalcedony disappeared from use sometime in the 2nd century. It was only rediscovered when the Zimbabwean deposits were found in the 1950s.