GEOLOGY & PLANETARY SCIENCE A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site chalcedony Chalcedony. Specimen mined in Namibia A beautiful mineral of the quartz family, consisting of quartz with some admixture of opal. It derives its name from Chalcedon in Bithynia, near which it occurs quite abundantly, and has been known by the name from ancient times. Chalcedony never occurs as crystals, but usually in mammilary, botryoidal, or stalactitic forms, lining or entirely filling the cavities of rocks, and more particularly old igneous rocks. It constitutes the whole or principal parts of many agates. It is usually translucent, sometimes semi-transparent, has a slightly waxy luster, and is generally white or bluish white in color, sometimes reddish white or milk white, and less frequently gray, blue, green, yellow, brown, or even black. Its fracture is even, or very slightly conchoidal. Chalcedony is much used in jewelry, for brooches, necklaces, and ornaments of all sorts, the largest pieces being sometimes made into little boxes, cups, etc. It was used a great deal in ancient times, for amulets and seals and for bringing good luck, in Greece, Egypt, palestine, and Western Europe, and many beautiful engraved specimens appear in museum collections. Chalcedonies with disseminated spots of brown and red were called stigmites or St Stephen's stones. Petrified plants are sometimes found in chalcedony, Specimens of chalcedony are sometimes found enclosing a little water in the interior, which gives them a very attractive appearance. Ancient people set a very high value on these so-called enhydrites. Related category    • GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP