Introduction
All of us are familiar with turquoise, the traditional December birthstone. However, in the gemstone jewelry industry, another gemstone having turquoise to blue-green hues is taking the place of the December birthstone. The name of this gemstone is Chrysocolla, and in this blog, we are going to help you with finding the perfect Chrysocolla ring for yourself. You must be familiar with the 4 C’s (color, cut, clarity, and carat weight) that are used to evaluate diamonds – and like diamonds, these same principles apply to Chrysocolla gemstones as well. We will be discussing these four factors so you can have the perfect Chrysocolla gemstone for your ring, along with a brief explanation of the right jewelry setting that suits Chrysocolla rings the best. By the time you finish reading this blog, you will be armed with the correct knowledge that will enable you to buy the best Chrysocolla gemstone ring. So, without further ado, let us begin our quest by first understanding what Chrysocolla gemstone is.
What is Chrysocolla?
As a gemstone that often comes in blue to green tones, Chrysocolla is a carbonate of copper, like turquoise, and malachite. Although Chrysocolla is not a traditional birthstone, many people seek Chrysocolla as an alternative to turquoise, which is the December birthstone because Chrysocolla is more budget-friendly than turquoise. Also, since Chrysocolla can replace turquoise, you can gift your partner a Chrysocolla ring (or jewelry) in place of turquoise jewelry on your 11th wedding anniversary. Talking about the zodiac stones, Chrysocolla suits Geminis because it's their zodiac stone.
Chemically, Chrysocolla is composed of copper, hydrogen, oxygen, and silica and unlike most gemstones which are primary minerals (like sapphire or topaz), this stone is essentially a secondary mineral. Because of this, it is not formed because of elements combining, rather, it is formed because of changes in minerals due to outside forces like water or pressure changes that transform the chemical structure of the mineral. Below are some of the physical properties of Chrysocolla:
- Color: Typically, Chrysocolla occurs in blue, green, or blue-green color, but it can also appear brown to black, and rarely yellow.
- Luster: The luster of this gemstone ranges from vitreous to waxy.
- Moh’s Hardness: On the Moh’s Scale of Mineral Hardness, Chrysocolla ranks between two and four, and thus, it's relatively soft in comparison to many gemstones.
- Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic
- Fracture: Irregular to sub-conchoidal
- Specific Gravity: Between 1.9 to 2.4
- Diaphaneity: Opaque to translucent
What Should I Look for When I Purchase a Chrysocolla Ring?
As you go out to your nearest jeweler to purchase a Chrysocolla ring, it is essential that you consider the 4C’s: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight of the stone set in the ring. Each of these four factors influences the beauty, value, and durability of the gemstone. Here is a brief description of what to look for while buying a Chrysocolla ring:
Cut of Chrysocolla Stone Set in a Chrysocolla Ring
- Shape: Generally, the Chrysocolla stone is cut into cabochons, which are nothing but smooth, rounded stones, and the cabochon cut enhances the color and texture of the Chrysocolla gem. Popular shapes among cabochons include round, oval, and pear. At times, the cabochon cut is preferred because it allows for a better display of Chrysocolla’s patterns.
- Polish: Generally, a well-cut Chrysocolla gem is polished a lot to enhance the luster of the stone. While opting for a Chrysocolla ring, choose the one that features a Chrysocolla with a smooth surface that is free from scratches and dull spots.
Color of Chrysocolla Stone Set in a Chrysocolla Ring
- Hue: This gemstone is known for its vibrant blues and greens, which are due to the presence of copper. While opting for a Chrysocolla stone for your ring, ensure that it possesses rich, saturated colors that are free from dullness.
- Variations: At times, the Chrysocolla stone you will find for your ring will have unique patterns or inclusions. These can include streaks of black or spots of yellow and brown. It is said that high-quality specimens possess a pleasing distribution of these inclusions which do not overwhelm the primary hue.
- Consistency: While a little bit of color variation can look good, avoid choosing stones that have excessive patchiness – when set to make a Chrysocolla ring, these stones will not look beautiful.
Clarity of Chrysocolla Stone Set in a Chrysocolla Ring
- Transparency: Since Chrysocolla stone is generally opaque, in the context of clarity, gemologists and jewelers look for the absence of blemishes and inclusions on the surface of the stone. Some inclusions that create stunning patterns within Chrysocolla are as follows:
- Cuprite: Chrysocolla having cuprite inclusions are found in dual color, and it has overlapping portions of red and bluish-green.
- Iron Oxide: Iron Oxide is also found on Chrysocolla – this results in streaks of dark gray or black, whose right concentration gives the stone an added dimension.
- Blemishes: Chrysocolla is a brittle gemstone, which is why you need to ensure that there are no significant deformities that could compromise its appearance. You also need to ensure that there are no nicks, chips, or rough spots on the stone, and the stone for your Chrysocolla ring is smooth and polished.
Carat Weight of Chrysocolla Stone
- Size Consideration: Most of the Chrysocolla stones you will find in the market will range from 1 carat to 20 carat. Although larger stones are more expensive, on the flip side, they are more prone to breakage because Chrysocolla is a soft stone. A Chrysocolla ring with a smaller stone is more durable and practical for everyday wear.
- Weight vs Appearance: A smaller stone with exceptional color and jaw-dropping patterns can be much more valuable than a larger stone having inferior qualities – always remember that bigger is not always better when choosing a Chrysocolla stone for your Chrysocolla ring.
The Best Setting for Your Chrysocolla Ring
When you go out to purchase a Chrysocolla ring, you need to ensure that you opt for a setting that is secure and holds the Chrysocolla stone tightly in its place. Securing the Chrysocolla gemstone is essential – this gemstone is soft, and you need to get your ring in a setting that offers protection to the stone. The two most secure settings for your Chrysocolla ring are the prong setting and bezel setting, and below is a brief description of both these settings:
- Bezel Setting
- Description: Within the bezel setting, a metal rim or bezel encircles the Chrysocolla stone, and it offers the stone excellent protection against bumps, chipping, and scratches.
- Benefits: This setting is ideal for Chrysocolla rings because it holds the stone tightly in its place (so the stone does not pop out of the ring) while providing enough visibility to the stone, which is why the natural patterns and colors emerge beautifully from the stone. The bezel setting also offers the Chrysocolla ring a modern look.
- Prong Setting
- Description: In the case of a prong setting, metal prongs hold the Chrysocolla stone tightly in its place, allowing you to get a side view of the stone as well. This setting is also secure, and you need not worry about the Chrysocolla stone popping out of the ring.
- Benefits: While the prong setting allows you to get a side view of the stone, and it also allows for light to enter the stone from multiple angles, it is not as protective as the bezel setting. This is because, in the bezel setting, the metal rim encircles the Chrysocolla stone from all sides. If you are getting a Chrysocolla ring in a prong setting, usually having fewer prongs (like three or four) can help you secure the stone without overwhelming the ring’s visual appeal.
Conclusion
We have discussed everything that would enable you to choose the perfect Chrysocolla ring for yourself. Always remember that the perfect Chrysocolla stone for your ring is not the one that is the most expensive or flawless, but rather it is the stone that speaks to your personal style and resonates with what you feel in your heart. With that being said, would you like to purchase Chrysocolla rings at wholesale rates from one of the most esteemed wholesale gemstone jewelry suppliers?
If that’s the case, then we would like to introduce you to India’s biggest wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturer and supplier, Rananjay Exports, which deals in Chrysocolla rings and all types of Chrysocolla jewelry. As a retailer, it's important that you get wholesale gemstone jewelry and 925 sterling silver jewelry at reasonable rates, with natural and ethically sourced gemstones set in them. Rananjay Exports is great at this job of supplying you with the right gemstone jewelry made in pure 925 sterling silver. Be sure to check out the most trending jewelry collections at Rananjay Exports, like the birthstone jewelry collection and chakra jewelry collection as you browse our website.
