gemstone
Carnelian (Polished Beads)
SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide - Microcrystalline Quartz)
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-orange to deep orange-red; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Transparency: Translucent; Fracture: Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Reddish-orange to deep orange-red
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-orange to deep orange-red; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Transparency: Translucent; Fracture: Conchoidal
Formation & geological history
Formed through low-temperature precipitation of silica in cavities and veins of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, getting its reddish hue from iron oxide impurities.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry making, beadwork, carvings, intaglios, and decorative ornamental crafts.
Geological facts
Carnelian has been used for over 4,500 years. Ancient Romans used carnelian signet rings to seal wax documents because the hot wax did not stick to the smooth, polished surface.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive warm orange-to-red translucency and chalcedony hardness. Commonly sourced from India, Brazil, Madagascar, and Uruguay.
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