Carnelian
What is Carnelian?
Carnelian is a variety of chalcedony, a mineral of the Quartz family. It’s known for its vibrant shades of orange, although it can also appear in red or brown hues. The color is due to the presence of iron impurities in the mineral. Carnelian is commonly found in India, Brazil, and Uruguay, among other places. It has been used for thousands of years in jewelry, seals, and amulets, and was even used by the ancient Egyptians to craft talismans.
Carnelian is a vibrant gemstone known for its rich orange and red hues. It’s a variety of chalcedony and is part of the Quartz family. This eye-catching stone has been used for thousands of years in various forms of jewelry and decorative arts, and it continues to be a popular choice for modern jewelry designs.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Silicate (Chalcedony) |
| Color | Ranges from pale orange to deep reddish-brown. |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Waxy to vitreous. |
| Transparency | Translucent to opaque. |
| Occurrence | India, Brazil, and Uruguay. |
| Formation | Carnelian is formed from silica-rich waters in volcanic or sedimentary rocks. |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5 to 7. |
| Specific Gravity | 2.58-2.64. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Reddish-orange translucent chalcedony. |
| Chemical Composition | SiO2 |
| Pleochroism | Not observed in carnelian. |
| Crystal System | Hexagonal (variety of Quartz) |
| Optical Properties | Uniaxial (+) |
| Refractive Index | 1.530 - 1.539 |
| Birefringence | 0.009 |
| 2V angle | Not applicable (isometric) |
| Dispersion | Not typically noted for carnelian as it's not a key feature of this stone. |