Chalcedony Properties and other information

Hardness -                            Chalcedony has a hardness of  6.5-7

Specific Gravity -                   2.57-2.64

Countries Chalcedony is Found -   Chalcedony is found in Brazil, U.S.A. Germany, India, Uruguay, Australia, Egypt, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, Namibia, Madagascar, Mexico, Tanzania, and others.

Birthstone Months -             Chalcedony is not a birthstone..

Anniversary Months -         Chalcedony is not an anniversary month stone.

Star Stone Months -            Chalcedony is not a star stone.

Care and Treatment -          Chalcedony is susceptible to scratches when it comes in contact with other metals and stones. Keep Chalcedony jewelry separate in different cloth pouches to avoid scratches.

Guide for Shopping -           Chalcedony is not an expensive gemstone. It is highly recommended by everybody as rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets. Chalcedony is available in different shapes and cuts. They appears as opaque as well as translucent.

Healing Powers -                Chalcedony brings peace to the wearer. It is said that Chalcedony helps to overcome fear, depression, mental illness, and worry. Chalcedony also used to treat fever. This stone stimulates creativity.

Chalcedony Rings, Earrings, and Jewelry

Chalcedony History

Chalcedony is fibrous cryptocrystalline quartz. It is said that early man used Chalcedony to make his tools and weapons. Chalcedony jewelry became famous very recently. There are different variety of Chalcedony which has different patterns and colors. Unstained quartz is usually used to make Chalcedony jewelry. These stones are grayish blue to purple in color. Chalcedony stained with other oxides is known as jasper. Banded varieties with moss like inclusions are known as Agate. There are several varieties of moss agates such as, scenic, lace, fire, shell and Turritella agate. There are various patterns available. Common varieties of Chalcedony are Agate, bloodstone, carnelian, chert, jasper, mocha stone, sardonyx, onyx, plasma, flint, heliotrope, prase, thundereggs etc.

The name of the stone is derived from ancient Greek town 'Chalkedon' in Asia minor. Other to the use of this gem as jewelry Chalcedony is used to make decorative items such as pencil box, jewelry box etc. They are also used to make commesso. Commesso also known as florentine mosaic is a process of creating pictures using thin, shaped, brightly colored gemstones. This art of making pictures was developed in Florence in the early 16th century. These art works are used as tabletops and small wall panels.

How to Buy a Chalcedony

Chalcedony is an affordable gemstone. The price of Chalcedony is judged by its carat weight and cut. Normally cut and clarity is not taken into account as if other stones. Chalcedony is available in various types of cuts the nature, style and workmanship of the stone counts the price of the gemstone.

Chalcedony is available in different colors such as white, blue, purple, buff, gray, yellow, brown etc. The quality of the color is judged based on the uniqueness of the color distribution, presence of impurities decreases the value of the stone. Chalcedony has a waxy or dull luster. It is available in translucent to opaque luster. While buying chalcedony check for fractures or inclusions in the stone. Any visible cracks or fissures should not be selected. Chalcedony is available in different shapes such as oval, round, pear, square etc. The ideal weight of Chalcedony for a pendant is 2 to 4 carat. People love to wear chalcedony jewelry in the form of pendants, earrings, rings and bracelets.

Care

Chalcedony is relatively hard even then never allow hard blows or heavy impact with other metals or stones. This may cause scratches in the gemstone. Chalcedony also looses its natural luster and color when treated with harsh chemicals and quick temperature changes. You can clean Chalcedony jewelry with luke warm soapy water and soft brush.

Colors of Chalcedony: - Chalcedony is available in different colors such as light blue, yellow, brown, red. You can also get white or tanned chalcedony. Some of the Chalcedony coming into the market today are dyed. Although dyed, the colors being produced are quite nice and very trendy.