Carnelian

WHAT IS IT?

• A glassy (vitreous) semi -precious stone that is a variety Of Chalcedony (microcrytalline quartz)

• Quartz (Si02) containing Iron Oxide that has an orange, amber; or red color

• May have banding, in which case it is both a Carnelian and an Agate

• May be botryoidal (or globular) — aggregated resembling a cluster of grapes

• Mohs Scale Hardness: 6.5 to 7.0 (between the feldspar and quartz)

• Specific Gravity: 2.63 —2.65; Refraction Index: 1.54 to 1.55 (same as quartz crystals)

• Similar to Sard, but Sard is harder, darker in color (brown-red) and duller.

• Fractures with uneven splintering (Fractured Sard is jagged)

• Differs from Jasper in Jasper is always opaque, but Carnelian is translucent

WHERE IS IT FOUND?

• Australia, Brazil, India. Madagascar, Russia, Scotland, USA

• The highest quality carnelian in found in Brazil: Scotland: and Washington state

• Well known carnelian sites in Washington State include: Lucas Creek (east of Chehalis) and Salmon Creek (south east of Toledo), Green Mt. (Kalama), Silver Lake (Castle Rock), Valley C Ranch (Tenino), Upper Toutle River (on the slopes Of Mt. St. Helens).

WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

• Carnelian has been used in jewelry since ancient times. It was used in 1800 BC by the Minoran culture of Crete. Romans used Carnelian for seal rings (signets)

• It is used to make cabochons, beads for necklaces and bracelets, and carved into cameos.