gemstone
Carnelian
Silicon dioxide (Chalcedony variety, SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, orange to brownish-red color, vitreous to waxy luster, and microcrystalline trigonal structure with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, orange to brownish-red color, vitreous to waxy luster, and microcrystalline trigonal structure with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in low-temperature hydrothermal environments and cavities of volcanic rocks through the deposition of silica-rich groundwater over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, carved into intaglios and cameos, and valued as a decorative gemstone.
Geological facts
Carnelian was highly prized in ancient Egypt as a stone of rebirth and was frequently placed in tombs to protect the dead in the afterlife.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive translucent reddish-orange hue and waxy luster; commonly sourced from India, Brazil, and Uruguay.
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