Green minerals such as glauconite and serpentine are commonly found in settings like marine sandstones and serpentinite. Olivine, prehnite, and true jade, composed of jadeite and nephrite, are additional examples of green-colored minerals found in nature.
Gemologists assess color by considering hue, tone, and saturation. In a green gemstone, the primary hue is green, but gems often have secondary hues, too. Green gems may have blue or yellow secondary hues present. In general, a pure green hue is the most desirable (and more expensive). For secondary hues, most people prefer a hint of blue to a yellowish green stone. Yellow-green stones can still be quite attractive but won't reach top dollar.
Green Mineral come in many shades, each offering a unique vibration and energy:
* Green Diamond
If your budget is big enough, why not opt for a green diamond? One of the rarest natural colors of diamond, green hues are especially desirable. These colors arise from nitrogen, hydrogen, and nickel in the diamond crystal structure or from defects in the crystal structure caused by irradiation as the diamond forms underground.
* Maw Sit Sit
If jade is out of your budget, consider maw sit sit instead. This green stone often has bright hues due to trace amounts of chromium as well as black inclusions, so it makes an excellent lookalike for jade. To complicate matters, some maw sit sit actually contains jadeite. A combination of jadeite and kosmochlor contributes to the bright green hue. However, this material is available at a fraction of the price, making it a very attractive alternative.
* Green Chrysoberyl
The mineral chrysoberyl is best known for being the classic yellow cat's eye gem and for its color-changing variety, alexandrite. But did you know it comes in green, too? Beautiful mint green chrysoberyls occur in several locales, but the market for these gems is small. Nonetheless, a well-cut green chrysoberyl will have remarkable brilliance and make a great ring stone.
* Chrysoprase
An unusual and eye-catching gemstone, chrysoprase is a variety of chalcedony with inclusions of nickel-bearing minerals that impart bright green hues. Cabbed or carved, this translucent gem is another great jade lookalike. If you're looking for a stone that will last, make sure it originated in Australia. Chrysoprase from other locales can fade in the sunlight. For more information, consult our chrysoprase buying guide.