chrysoprase a golden-green precious stone, mentioned in the New Testament (Revelation 21:20) as one of the precious stones in the wall of the New Jerusalem, perhaps a variety of beryl; in the Middle Ages, believed to have the faculty of shining in the dark. Now, an apple-green variety of chalcedony containing nickel, used as a gemstone.

The word is recorded from Middle English, and comes via Old French and Latin from Greek khrusoprasos, from khrusos ‘gold’ + prason ‘leek’.

chrysoprase (in early use) golden-green gem, perh. beryl, (in mod. min.) apple-green chalcedony. XIII. ME. crisopace — OF. — L. chrȳsopassus, var. of chrȳsoprasus — Gr. khrūsóprasos, f. khrūsós gold + práson leek.

Chrysoprase

A semiprecious stone used in amulets. Its color is green and gold and it was traditionally used to combat weakness of sight and to render its possessor joyful and liberal.