Carnelian
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Description
A pale orange-red to deep red translucent stone that is a variety of Chalcedony. Carnelian was mined or gathered as an ornamental stone since at least 3000 BCE. It is found in Egypt, India and areas of Europe as water-worn pebbles. Carnelian was popular for amulets and scarabs and is still used as gemstones.
Synonyms and Related Terms
sard; cornelian; chalcedony; Karneol (Deut., Pol.); cornaline (Fr.); cornalina (Esp., Port.)
Other Properties
Trigonal crystal system Fracture = conchoidal. Luster = vitreous to waxy. Streak = white.
| Composition | SiO2 |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 7.0 |
| Density | 2.6 |
Additional Information
Mineralogy Database: Quartz
Comparisons
Properties of Common Gemstones
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "carnelian." Encyclopædia Britannica. 14 Sept. 2001 .
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnelian (Accessed Sept. 14, 2005)