mineral

Carnelian and White Quartz Bracelet

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) - specifically Carnelian (Chalcedony) and Rock Crystal/Snow Quartz

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Translucent reddish-orange and opaque-to-milky white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6 – 2.7.

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Translucent reddish-orange and opaque-to-milky white
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the deposition of silica-rich groundwater in volcanic rock cavities or sedimentary environments throughout various geological eras (Cretaceous to modern).

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, lapidary arts, and ornamental beadwork. Historically used for making signet rings, seals, and amulets due to its durability.

Geological facts

Carnelian was used as a gemstone in Ancient Egypt and Sumer; it was believed to give courage in battle. Quartz is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its waxy luster and lack of cleavage. Common in Brazil, India, Madagascar, and Uruguay. Field collectors look for cryptocrystalline quartz nodules in riverbeds or volcanic outcrops.

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