mineral
Chalcedony
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, waxy luster, microcrystalline crystal structure, and white to pale bluish-grey color with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, waxy luster, microcrystalline crystal structure, and white to pale bluish-grey color with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in low-temperature hydrothermal environments and by deposition from silica-rich underground waters within cavities of volcanic rocks.
Uses & applications
Widely used in lapidary arts, making ornamental carvings, beads, and affordable jewelry.
Geological facts
Chalcedony is the cryptocrystalline form of silica that serves as the parent material for several other well-known gemstones like agate, jasper, and onyx.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its characteristic waxy luster and lack of visible crystal faces, commonly found lining cavities in basaltic lava flows worldwide.
