Today we are going to talk about the chalcedony stone, one of the most beautiful and striking minerals on the planet. If you are a collector of precious and semi-precious stones, you cannot miss this specimen. For this reason, we recommend you to know its characteristics, properties and applications.
The chalcedony stone is a mineral belonging to the quartz family, being a cryptocrystalline variety. Technically, it is a gemological term that applies to all varieties of cryptocrystalline quartz. Chalcedony can come in many colors, patterns, and sizes.
Therefore chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline variety of quartz, as are agate and jasper.
Over the years, it has been attributed many properties and meanings. Obviously, none has been able to be verified by the scientific field. But that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a highly sought after collectible for a variety of purposes.
Next, we will describe all its particularities.
Table of Contents
Mineralogical characteristics
| chalcedony stone | Properties and Characteristics |
|---|---|
| CLASS, GROUP | Silicates – tectosilicates, Microcrystalline Quartz |
| COMPOSITION | SiO2 |
| COLOR | Blue, green, red, yellow, brown, white, etc. |
| CRYSTALLINE SYSTEM | hexagonal / trigonal |
| CRYSTAL HABIT | microcrystalline |
| MOHS HARDNESS | 7 |
| FRACTURE | Unequal |
| EXFOLIATION | null |
| BRIGHTNESS | cerulean to matte |
| STRIPE | White |
| TRANSPARENCY | From transparent to translucent |
| SPECIFIC WEIGHT | 2.7 |
As with most minerals belonging to this family, its chemical formula is SiO2. Chalcedony is composed of silicon dioxide, and colors vary greatly. For example, there are white, red, blue, green, orange, yellow, pink, purple, black and even colorless specimens.
Its stripe is white, with a hardness level of 7 on the Mohs scale. Belongs to hexagonal crystal system and goes from transparent to opaque. Since it is a microcrystalline variety of quartz, it is not found in visible crystals.
It is native to botryoidal, massive, nodular, banded, and stalactitic forms. Their shine is glassy, waxy or simply non-existent, depending on its composition. Finally, the toughness is brittle and the fracture is conchoidal.
Important deposits
One of the most notorious characteristics of chalcedony is that it is a stone very abundant on the planet. Just like quartz, it can be found practically anywhere in the world. However, the main deposits are in Poland, Australia and South Africa.
Chalcedony stone meaning
As we already mentioned, its spiritual meaning does not have any scientific certification. Even so, it is considered a stone that power unit, promoting brotherhood. There are people who think that it stimulates group stability, creating interpersonal links.
They are also attributed telepathic powers, managing to increase the connection of the body with the spirit. It is thought that it harmonizes the mind, the organism and all the emotions of the human being.
Chalcedony stone properties
The chalcedony mineral it is related to feelings of benevolence, just like generosity. In theory, it transforms melancholy into joyful feelings, while dispelling hostility. It also has certain properties psychological, where apparently it eliminates the doubts of the interior.
It would facilitate reflection inside the mind, giving way to a personality enthusiastic and open. On the other hand, it is said that it has healing properties for the body. If it is placed on the neck, fingers, back or any affected area, it could relieve pain.
Chalcedony stone uses
It is a very common stone in the field of meditation, being quite sought after as talisman and amulet. It is seen hanging inside offices, rooms and houses to attract all its supposed benefits. However, the only scientifically proven applications, and the most important of all, are for jewelry.
It is one of the most attractive elements for decoration, used in the construction of all kinds of garments. We refer to rings, bracelets, necklaces, ornamental pieces, earrings, among others.
In short, chalcedony is one of the stones precious and semiprecious more attractive to society.