mineral
Chalcedony (Agate/Carnelian pebbles)
Cryptocrystalline Quartz (SiO2)
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale orange to waxy brownish-white; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/fibrous); Specific Gravity: 2.6
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Pale orange to waxy brownish-white
- Luster
- Waxy to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale orange to waxy brownish-white; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline/fibrous); Specific Gravity: 2.6
Formation & geological history
Formed as secondary deposits in volcanic cavities or sedimentary nodules through the precipitation of silica from groundwater; often found as water-worn pebbles in riverbeds.
Uses & applications
Used for lapidary work, making jewelry beads, decorative ornaments, and as a collector's specimen for hobbyists.
Geological facts
Carnelian is a variety of chalcedony colored by iron oxide. It has been used for seals and amulets since the Neolithic period and ancient Egypt.
Field identification & locations
Identifiable by its waxy luster, translucency, and lack of visible crystal faces. Common in gravel beds and desert regions worldwide.
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Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
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Metamorphic
Epidote
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metamorphic
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
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Nephrite
Mineral/Rock
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous