Carnelian
Mozambique
3.84 carats
© Brian Kosnar - Mineral Classics
Many stones, which in the natural condition are of a dirty yellow colour and unsuitable for gems, on being heated acquire the fine carnelian colour, and with it a considerable increase in value.
When held against the light, the colour variety shows stripes, natural carnelian shows a cloudy distribution of colour.
Carnelian Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Carnelian Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Carnelian gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.84 cts
Heaviest:120 cts
Average:11.71 cts
Total photos:46
Do you have a larger Carnelian? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| A variety or type of: | Chalcedony, which is a variety of Quartz | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Names/Trade Names: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chemical Formula |
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| Photos of natural/un-cut material from mindat.org | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Carnelian Treatments | |||||||||||||||||||||
| The colour can be enhanced by heating. - Gemstones of the world, Walter Schumann, 2001, p 126 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Carnelian Simulants | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Most carnelians offered today are agates which are dyed and then heat-treated. - Gemstones of the world, Walter Schumann, 2001, p 126 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical Properties of Carnelian | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5 to 7, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.58 to 2.64, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | None, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fracture | Uneven, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Carnelian | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.535 to 1.539, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Uniaxial/+, Gemmological Tables (2004) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.003 to 0.009, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pleochroism | Absent, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dispersion | None, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Red, orange, reddish, Management Team (2012) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Causes of Colour | Orange to red, submicroscopic to microscopic inclusions of hydrous Fe oxides, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Translucent,Opaque, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Semi-transparent to opaque | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Waxy,Resinous, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence & other light emissions | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence (General) | Blue-white, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Carnelian | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Trigonal, Gemmological Tables (2004) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Fibrous to grained aggregate, Gemmological Tables (2004) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Carnelian information at mindat.org | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | |||||||||||||||||||||
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