Subscribe / Manage Email Preferences for a Coupon code!  
  • CurrencyUS
    • En
      0 items $0.00
      • Login Logout
      • Account
      • Re Order
      Logged in as:   
        • SHOP
        • SALES
        • WISH LIST
        • ABOUT US
        • LEARN
        • PROJECTS
        • SHOPPING CART
        • MY ACCOUNT
        • FAQ
        • CRYSTAL
        • NEW!
        • WHOLESALE
        SHOP > Gemstone Beads and Pearls > Chalcedony Beads > 

        Categories

        SHOP
        Jewelry Findings and Components
        Jewelry Chain
        Swarovski Crystal
        Gemstone Beads and Pearls
        Gemstone Beads by Shape
        Unique Gemstone Beads
        Matte Gemstone Beads
        Agate Beads
        Amazonite Beads
        Amethyst Beads and Pendants
        Angelite Beads
        Apatite Beads
        Aquamarine and Morganite Beads
        Aventurine Beads
        Black Stone Beads and Pendants
        Bloodstone Beads
        Bronzite Beads
        Cacoxenite Beads
        Calsilica Beads
        Carnelian Beads
        Chakra Mix Gemstones
        Chalcedony Beads
        Charoite Beads
        Cherry "Quartz"
        Chrome Diopside Beads
        Chrysoprase Gemstone Beads
        Chrysocolla Beads
        Citrine Beads
        Coral Beads
        Cubic Zirconias and CZ Findings
        Dalmatiner Beads (Dalmatian Jasper)
        Druzy Beads and Pendants
        Dumortierite Beads
        Eagle Eye Gemstone Beads
        Emerald Beads
        Fluorite Beads
        Fossilized Beads and Pendants
        Garnet Beads and Charms
        Goldstone Beads (Sandstone)
        Hematite Beads
        Howlite Beads
        Iolite Beads
        Jade and Serpentine Beads
        Jasper Beads and Pendants
        Kyanite Beads
        Labradorite Beads
        Lapis Beads
        Larimar Beads (Blue Pectolite)
        Larvikite Beads
        Lava Stone Beads
        Lemon Chrysoprase (Citron) Beads
        Lepidolite Gemstone Beads
        Magnesite Beads
        Malachite Beads
        Azurite Beads
        Mixed Gemstone Bead Strands
        Mookaite Beads
        Moonstone Beads and Charms
        Mother of Pearl Beads and Pendants
        Obsidian Gemstone Beads and Pendants
        Onyx and Sardonyx Beads
        Opal Gemstone Beads
        Opalite Beads (Opalized "Quartz")
        Paua Shell Beads and Abalone Shell Beads
        Pearls - Freshwater Pearl Beads
        Peridot Beads
        Picasso Marble Beads and Donuts
        Pietersite Beads
        Prehnite Beads
        Pyrite Beads
        Quartz Beads and Pendants
        Rhodonite Beads
        Rhyolite Beads
        Ruby Beads
        Sapphire Beads
        Sodalite Beads and Pendants
        Sunstone Beads
        Tanzanite Beads
        Tigereye Beads and Pendants
        Thunder Egg Beads
        Tourmaline Beads
        Turquoise Beads
        Unakite Beads
        Verdite Beads
        Jewelry-Making Reference Books
        Amber Beads (Not Always Available)
        Jet Beads (Not Always Available)
        Beads and Buttons
        Jewelry Stringing Supplies
        Charms, Pendants and Cameos
        Metal Charm Blanks
        Bracelets and Bracelet Blanks
        Rings and Ring Blanks
        Shop by Metal
        Wire, Sheet, and Metal Tubing
        Jewelry Making Tools and Supplies
        Metal Stamping Tools and Metal Stamping Supplies
        Enameling Tools and Supplies
        Jewelry Resins and Jewelry Clays
        Jewelry Packaging and Displays
        Jewelry Making Kits and Mixes
        Made in the USA
        Jewelry Supplies by Brand
        Jewelry Design Gallery
        Gift Certificates
        Jewelry Making Trends and Themes
        New Arrivals
        Clearance Jewelry Components and Craft Supplies
        SALES
        WISH LIST
        ABOUT US
        LEARN
        FAQ
        website security
        Rings & Things BBB Business Review
        For tips, extra details, and related products, click item images or names.
        Coronavirus Update: We are shipping full speed, and our Spokane Showroom is... (more info)

          Chalcedony Beads

          Chalcedony is a catch-all term for cryptocrystalline quartzes (quartz with microscopically small crystals). The chalcedony family as a whole includes agate, jasper, carnelian, chrysoprase, onyx, bloodstone, aventurine, flint, chert and sard. As a marketing term in the gemstone industry, however, "chalcedony" refers more specifically to semitransparent or translucent chalcedony with a solid color (commonly pale bluish-gray) and nearly waxlike luster. The color can also be white, blue, purple, pink, yellow, orange or red (but not orange-red, as that stone is known as carnelian). Blue and purple are the most popular hues. (continued below)

          Some are unsure how to pronounce "chalcedony" - the most common form is kal-SEH-doh-nee; also accepted are chal-SEH-doh-nee, KAL-seh-DOH-nee and CHAL-seh-DOH-nee. The name probably comes from Chalcedon or (Calchedon), an ancient port city on the Sea of Marmara in modern-day Turkey. Good blue and purple chalcedony are still being mined in Turkey and several locations in Africa, including hard-to-get Namibian material. Indonesia is producing purple chalcedony along with other colors, including yellow to deep orange. The U.S.A. also boasts active blue and purple chalcedony mines.


          Chalcedonies can be either transparent or translucent, solid or patterned. The most common forms are agate and jasper. Agate is usually translucent and has clearly defined bands and markings, while jasper is generally opaque, more irregular and less defined. Chalcedony forms in rounded crusts, rinds or stalactites in volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The stone is extremely porous, so it takes dye easily and is frequently enhanced. Chalcedony has a slightly lower density and hardness than other quartz. Protect it from scratches, sharp blows, harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures. Another unique characteristic: chalcedony can be a pseudomorph, the atom-by-atom replacement of one mineral for another without changing the original mineral's external appearance. Petrified palm wood is a well-known example. In the Petrified Forest National Monument of Arizona, the remains of an entire ancient forest was transformed into chalcedony. Dinosaur bone is another chalcedony pseudomorph. The process is nature's preservation of an organic substance in its original appearance.


          Chalcedony has made other great marks on history. Because of its abundance, durability and beauty, chalcedony was one of the first raw materials used by humankind. Its earliest recorded uses were as projectile points, knives, tools and containers. Seals were made from chalcedony in Mesopotamia as early as the 7th century B.C., and the Romans also adopted the practice. The stone was used in Renaissance magic for health and safety, and has been worn as carved cameos and gems for many centuries, especially popular in the Victorian era. In ancient times, it was used as a talisman against idiocy and depression. Today it is still believed to banish depression and mental illness, as well as fear, hysteria and touchiness. Chalcedony is also thought to reduce fever, aid eyesight, stimulate creativity and stimulate calm and peace. The stone is found in Brazil, Germany, Russia, the U.S.A., Canada, Africa, Turkey and Indonesia.


          See...
          Agate Gemstone Beads
          Agate Gemstone Beads
          Jasper Stone Beads
          Jasper Stone Beads
          Carnelian Beads
          Carnelian Beads
          Bloodstone Gemstone Beads
          Bloodstone Gemstone Beads
          Black Onyx Beads
          Black Onyx Beads
          Aventurine Beads
          Aventurine Beads
          Gemstone Beads
          All Gemstone Beads

          Compare Products

           

          • Shop

          • Online Store
          • Spokane Showroom
          • View Cart
          • Check Out
          • Log In
          • Customer Service

          • About Us
          • Contact Us
          • Privacy Information
          • Shipping
          • Tax ID
          • Help

          • FAQ
          • Contact Us
          • Wish List
          • Gauge Chart
          • Community

          • Jewelry Making Blog
          • Free Jewelry Projects
          • Spokane Classes
          • Learn / Resources
          • Email Updates

          FB   Instagram   Pinterest   twitter   youtube
          Rings & Things BBB Business Review
          Contact Us | 1011 E 2nd Ave #6, Spokane, WA 99202 USA
          © 2021 Rings & Things   Site Map (XML)