Ouro Verde Quartz is a rare, ‘green gold’ gemstone exclusively from Brazil’s Bocarica Mine. Displaying beautiful and rare vivid yellows with just a hint of green, Ouro Verde Quartz is a bright addition to any jewelry box.
Hardness 7
Refractive Index 1.544 - 1.553
Relative Density 2.65
Enhancement Irradiated
Beauty
Meaning ‘green gold’ in Portuguese, Ouro Verde Quartz is named for its vivid yellow chartreuses; yellow with a splash of green similar in color to Yellow Chartreuse liqueur.
Created in 1838, saffron colored Yellow Chartreuse is more yellow than traditional Chartreuse liqueur (a color between yellow and green, similar to Peridot) that was first made by Carthusian monks in 1764 at Voiron’s Grande Chartreuse monastery.
The major value determinants of Ouro Verde Quartz are the colorful brilliance of its signature green golds and cutting quality. Brazil is not only home to much of the world’s Quartz gemstones, but also to some of the world’s best Quartz lapidaries; every gem has been optimally cut with an eye-clean clarity, the highest quality clarity grade for colored gemstones, to maximize beauty.
The modern name Quartz is derived from the Saxon word ‘querklufterz’, meaning cross-vein-ore. Ouro Verde Quartz is a variety of macrocrystalline (large crystal) Quartz, a group which also includes Amethyst, Citrine, Lavender Quartz, Madagascan Rose Quartz, Tibetan Quartz, and Tiger’s Eye. Cryptocrystalline (small crystal) Quartz gemstones include Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, and Onyx.
Rarity
Ouro Verde Quartz is from the Bocarica Mine in Divino das Laranjeiras, a municipality (município) in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais (‘general mines’ in Portuguese).
A rare and very unique color variety of Quartz, this hue is exclusively found in Brazil’s Bocarica Mine, a very old Aquamarine mine that ironically hasn’t yielded any Aquamarine in approximately six years. As a single mine gemstone, Ouro Verde Quartz’s genuine rarity is undeniable.
Durability & Care
Ouro Verde Quartz is a durable gemstone (Mohs’ Hardness: 7) well-suited to everyday wear. Always store Ouro Verde Quartz carefully to avoid scuffs and scratches. Clean with gentle soap and lukewarm water, scrubbing behind the gem with a very soft toothbrush as necessary. After cleaning, pat dry with a soft towel or chamois cloth.
Map Location
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