gemstone
Carnelian
Silicon Dioxide (Chalcedony variety)
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-orange to brown-red color, vitreous to waxy luster, microcrystalline crystal structure, conchoidal fracture with no cleavage, specific gravity of 2.58 to 2.64.
Identified More gemstone →
Explore Carnelian in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-orange to brown-red color, vitreous to waxy luster, microcrystalline crystal structure, conchoidal fracture with no cleavage, specific gravity of 2.58 to 2.64.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins, cavities of volcanic rocks, and sedimentary environments through the deposition of silica from groundwater at low temperatures.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for jewelry such as beads, rings, and pendants, as well as for carving into signets and talismans.
Geological facts
Carnelian has been prized since ancient times, frequently used in ancient Rome for wax seal rings because hot wax does not stick to it, and discovered in abundance in Minoan Crete.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its translucent orange-red color, waxy luster, and resistance to scratching by steel. Found globally, notably in Brazil, India, Madagascar, and the United States.
More like this
Other gemstone specimens
Diamond and Gold Jewelry
Carbon (Diamond) / Au (Gold)
gemstone
Ammolite
Ammolite (Biogenic Aragonite with trace elements; fossils of Placenticeras meeki and Placenticeras intercalare)
mineral
Cubic Zirconia (simulant) or Diamond
ZrO2 (Cubic Zirconia) or C (Diamond)
gemstone
Black Opal Ring (Carved Opal)
Hydrated Silicon Dioxide (SiO2·nH2O)
gemstone
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite inclusions
sedimentary
Cubic Zirconia (or possibly Diamond)
Zirconium dioxide (or Carbon)
gemstone