gemstone
Carnelian
Silicon dioxide (Chalcedony variety)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, orange to reddish-brown color, vitreous to waxy luster, and microcrystalline trigonal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, orange to reddish-brown color, vitreous to waxy luster, and microcrystalline trigonal structure.
Formation & geological history
Forms in silica-rich groundwater solutions depositing in cavities of volcanic and sedimentary rocks over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, signet rings, carvings, and as a popular collector specimen.
Geological facts
Carnelian was prized in ancient Egypt for jewelry and was often placed in tombs to assist the dead in the afterlife.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its translucent reddish-orange hues and conchoidal fracture. Commonly sourced from India, Brazil, and Uruguay.
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