gemstone
Carnelian
Silicon Dioxide (Variety of Chalcedony, $SiO_2$)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-orange to brown color, vitreous to waxy luster, microcrystalline quartz structure with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-orange to brown color, vitreous to waxy luster, microcrystalline quartz structure with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in silica-rich groundwater solutions depositing within cavities of volcanic or sedimentary rocks over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry-making, carved into signet rings, beads, and as a popular decorative lapidary specimen.
Geological facts
Carnelian was highly prized in ancient Egypt as a stone representing life and was frequently placed in tombs to protect the dead in the afterlife.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive translucent orange-red color and lack of prominent banding; commonly found in India, Brazil, and Uruguay.
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