gemstone

Carnelian

Silicon Dioxide (Chalcedony variety), SiO2

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Orange, reddish-orange, brownish-orange, or red. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline quartz). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.58-2.64.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Orange, reddish-orange, brownish-orange, or red
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified August 3, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in low-temperature hydrothermal environments, cavities of volcanic rocks, and sedimentary rocks where silica-rich groundwater deposits microcrystalline quartz, often colored by iron oxide impurities.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry, beads, talismans, and carvings. Historically used for signet rings and seals due to hot wax not sticking to it.

Geological facts

Carnelian has been prized as a gemstone for thousands of years, with archaeological finds dating back to the Bronze Age in Crete and ancient Egypt, where it was associated with the afterlife and worn by master architects.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive orange-to-red translucent appearance, waxy luster, and conchoidal fracture. Commonly found in India, Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States.

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