mineral
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, waxy to vitreous luster, and microcrystalline structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, orange to reddish-brown color, waxy to vitreous luster, and microcrystalline structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed in low-temperature hydrothermal environments and volcanic cavities, often by silica deposition from groundwater.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, cabochons, beads, and carved intaglios since ancient times.
Geological facts
Ancient Egyptians associated carnelian with the goddess Isis and used it in royal amulets for safe passage into the afterlife.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive translucent orange-red hue and conchoidal fracture; commonly found in India, Brazil, and Madagascar.
