Carnelian

Translucent orange-red chalcedony colored by iron oxide.

Carnelian specimen — Photo: Hyperdeath, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to identify carnelian

Glows orange-red when held up to light.
Even color or soft cloudy banding.
Waxy surface, hard enough to scratch glass.

Often confused with

Agate
Agate shows distinct banding; carnelian is mostly uniform.
Compare side by side
Jasper
Red jasper is opaque.
Compare side by side

Where it's found

India
Brazil
Uruguay
Madagascar

Uses

Seals, beads and cameos since ancient times.

Rock tumbling

Great for tumbling.

Did you know?

Carnelian was one of the favorite stones for engraved seals in ancient Egypt and Rome.

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