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Carnelian

· 1 min read · Materials

Carnelian is a translucent orange-red chalcedony (6.5-7 on Mohs), used for millennia in seals, intaglios and beads.

Illustration: Carnelian

Carnelian is red, orange or reddish-brown chalcedony, translucent with a warm glow. It was already carved in Mesopotamia and Egypt, and was a favorite stone for seals and cameos.

Properties #

  • Composition: silicon dioxide (chalcedony) with iron.
  • Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale.
  • Color: orange-red, orange and reddish brown.
  • Origins: India, Brazil and Uruguay.
  • Treatments: heated to intensify the color.

Uses in jewelry #

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

  • Warm, attractive color.
  • Easy to carve and engrave.
  • Durable and inexpensive.

Limitations #

  • Color can fade in the sun.
  • It is translucent with no crystalline sparkle.
  • Imitated with glass.

Care and cleaning #

  • Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap.
  • Avoid prolonged intense sun.
  • Store apart.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.