Blue Chalcedony: Glowing Glamour
Many gemstones that are reviewed on this website are still increasing in popularity, and blue chalcedony is no exception. Blue chalcedony has an inner glow that has a calming, mesmerizing effect. Yet, despite its peaceful beauty, blue chalcedony is a gemstone of strength and endurance.
Blue chalcedony has a hardness of 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale. It is a gemstone that requires normal care and handling. However, it is always advisable to clean and store all gemstones and gemstone jewelry carefully.
Cornhusker fans unite—blue chalcedony is Nebraska’s state gemstone. Now, obviously, blue chalcedony is blue and your team’s colors aren’t, but chalcedony has been around for a long time. In ancient Egypt, blue chalcedony was carved into amulets. Chalcedony, throughout the years, has been said to chase away evil spirits and bestow stamina, strength, and beauty upon those who wear it. Chalcedony has also been said to provide protection to those who had it in their possession when traveling.
Microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz is the category chalcedony belongs to. The quartz crystals of chalcedony can’t be seen unless high magnification is used. The color of chalcedony is determined during its formative crystallization process. The presence of copper, titanium, nickel, or iron during this process affects the color. Red chalcedony is known as carnelian or sard. Green chalcedony is referred to as chrysoprase. Green chalcedony containing red spots is called bloodstone or heliotrope.
Blue chalcedony has varying shades of blue. Some blue chalcedony has been found that has shades of gray, while other blue chalcedony has been found that has hints of pink. Blue chalcedony gemstones can appear translucent or waxy, and the stone appears to have an interior glow. This glow, known as adularescence, is the result of light rays that are refracted off the crystal content of the stone. Blue chalcedony is a natural gemstone, but watch out for dyed chalcedony. Dyed or heat-treated chalcedony appears to have a purplish color.
There are two features that help determine blue chalcedony’s value. A clear, solid color combined with translucency will fetch higher asking prices.
Chalcedony has been found all over the world. Some of the locations are the United States, Mexico, Madagascar, India, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, Turkey, and Sri Lanka. Blue chalcedony from Namibia, Africa is commonly known as African Blue.
The popularity of blue chalcedony is soaring. Cast your gaze upon the alluring beauty of this gemstone and you, too, might want to adorn yourself with it.
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