gemstone

Orange chalcedony or tumbled carnelian fragment

Microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), likely iron-stained chalcedony/carnelian

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, opaque-to-translucent orange specimen with a waxy luster and irregular, smoothly worn shape; quartz hardness is about Mohs 7, with no visible cleavage and cryptocrystalline structure. The image is insufficient to distinguish carnelian from orange chalcedony or another orange mineral conclusively.

Identified September 3, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities and fractures, with iron oxides producing orange-red coloration; commonly associated with volcanic rocks, especially Cenozoic basaltic terrains, though individual age is indeterminate.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornaments, and lapidary tumbling; small rough fragments have limited commercial value.

Geological facts

Carnelian is the orange-red variety of chalcedony, and color may be enhanced by heating or dyeing. Chalcedony can display a distinctive waxy surface rather than obvious visible crystals.

Field identification & locations

Common localities include India, Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, Germany, and the western United States. A glassy streak-free surface, hardness near 7, lack of cleavage, and resistance to scratching by steel support quartz; an acid test is generally unhelpful.