Chalcedony - What is chalcedony

Chalcedony to calm the chaos

A gemstone in hues of blue that soothes with a shine that lures; that’s how chalcedony wins hearts.

A form of microcrystalline quartz, chalcedony is composed of silicon dioxide. You can find chalcedony in almost all parts of the world. The Americas, Namibia in Africa, Madagascar, India, and Russia are sources of gem-quality chalcedony. Pro Tip: Chalcedony is an easy-maintenance gemstone. Just use a soft brush and mild detergent to gently scrub the stone and wash off with warm water.

You will find beautiful chalcedony jewellery at The Jewellery Room. Our curated collection features the finest jewellery designers that will delight your heart.

Chalcedony blues

Chalcedony is a broad term that encompasses a family of crystals. It mainly comes in bluish grey with white overtones. Lighter chalcedonies are identified as individual gemstones including, agate, aventurine, bloodstone, carnelian, chrysoprase, jasper, and onyx.

Gemstone makers and jewellery designers absolutely love blue chalcedony. The type of blue in chalcedony stones depends on its source.

Mohave Chalcedony
It is a light to medium bluish-grey chalcedony from California.

Mt. Airy Chalcedony
This chalcedony from Nevada is moderately blue with grey overtones, like its Californian counterpart.

African Blue Chalcedony
The African variant of chalcedony stones from Namibia has shades from greyish to almost a pure blue.

Holly Blue Chalcedony
It is perhaps the most striking variety with its pink overtones that makes the gemstone look almost lavender. This priced chalcedony comes from Oregon in the USA.

Facts about chalcedony

Chalcedony, which is best fashioned in cabochon cuts, is perfect for everyday wear and ideal for all occasions. Even though chalcedony has a 6.5-7 hardness on the Mohs scale, it is very suitable for carving. Evidence of carved chalcedony jewellery has been found in ancient civilizations in Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

This stone probably derives its name from the ancient Greek port of Chalcedon in Asia Minor. Even Pliny the Elder mentions chalcedony in his tome, Naturalis Historia. Though not exactly a modern birthstone, chalcedony is believed to favour those born under signs of Cancer and Sagittarius. This gemstone with an opaque-to-translucent sheen is a powerful talisman with spiritual and healing properties.

It carries various epithets like, ‘The Speaker’s Stone’, for it imparts courage and mindfulness to an orator and its ability to enhance milk production for nursing mothers has won it the sobriquet of ‘The Milk Stone’.

Visit thejewelleryroom.com to explore the world of designer chalcedony jewellery.