gemstone
Carnelian
Silicon dioxide (Chalcedony variety), SiO2
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, orange to reddish-brown color, vitreous to waxy luster, microcrystalline trigonal crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, orange to reddish-brown color, vitreous to waxy luster, microcrystalline trigonal crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Forms in silica-rich groundwater solutions within cavities of volcanic and sedimentary rocks over geological time scales.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, signet rings, beads, and carved into intaglios since ancient civilizations.
Geological facts
Ancient Egyptians associated carnelian with the goddess Isis and used it in amulets for the afterlife.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive translucent orange-to-red hue and conchoidal fracture. Commonly found in India, Brazil, and Madagascar.
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