Various types of chalcedony began to be mined and used to create jewelry and household items many centuries ago. This is one of the first stones that is familiar to man.
Being a type of quartz, chalcedony hasmany subspecies. All of them have similar properties, the main of which is an amazing appearance, thanks to which these pebbles want to be turned in their hands and examined again and again. In addition, all varieties of chalcedony are quite heavy. In any case, they all deserve to talk about them in detail.
Incomplete list
Experts say to make a clearA list of all the varieties of this stone is not easy. It is known that the list will contain at least one hundred items. The following types are best known:
- Agate - solid layered mineral, a type of chalcedony, having a pattern in the form of horizontal and concentric stripes.
- Onyx - chalcedony with a pattern in the form of parallel straight strips, less often - smoothly curved.
- Sapphirin - a mineral with a rich blue color.
- Cornelian - chalcedony favored by jewelers, colored evenly in shades of orange, brown or red.
- Chrysoprase - a surprisingly beautiful stone, a semi-precious variety of chalcedony, uniformly colored in apple-green or bluish-green color.
- Heliotrope - dark green mineral with patches of rich red and yellow shades.
- Mirikit - semiprecious stone, a type of chalcedony of gray color, decorated with patches of red shades.
- Stefanic - surprisingly beautiful stone of white or light gray color, decorated with a scattering of red dots.
- Plasma - a rather rare variety, a stone of dark green color.
- Sarder - a mineral, a type of chalcedony, a stone colored uniformly in red-brown tones.
- Prase - light onion-green stone.
- Dendragat - chalcedony with a unique pattern resembling a woody pattern.
There are other varieties of chalcedony. This list is far from complete and not final. It presents the fact that enjoys the greatest attention of specialists.
Where do the stones come from
Chalcedony is mined all over the world. Varieties of stones are found in Canada and the United States, in Latin America and Africa. Hindustan is rich with chalcedonies.
In Russia, these stones are mined in Siberia and Chukotka.
Fields in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic are the oldest on the planet. Sometimes miners find just huge nuggets. Large size is not uncommon for this mineral.
Chalcedony in jewelry
Качественные камни давно полюбились ювелирам.Absolutely all varieties of chalcedony are opaque. Those of them that have a uniform color, similar to a thick liquid, are of greatest interest. For example, carnelians are used by jewelers to create exquisite jewelry for more than one hundred years. These stones are considered semi-precious, however, and they happen to act in tandem with gold, platinum, diamonds.
The beauty of the cornelian was sung by Byron. He was struck by the deep gray color of the mineral and its misty radiance. No less valuable for jewelers are agates, christopes, onyxes.
Bijouterie
Used versions of chalcedony and to create jewelry. And on an industrial scale, and in the work of artisans.
Today, many masters work with chalcedony.These stones do not need to be cut - their charismatic irregular shape and intricate pattern are beautiful in themselves. All this gives the stones a unique charm. To create a wonderful jewelry is often used just polished cuts. Polished pieces of stone have high decorative properties. This is especially true of those species that have an unusual pattern and color.
Elements of decor
I loved this stone and decorators.It is easy to work with it, it does not give chips, does not crack and perfectly gives in to the grinder and a cutter. From chalcedony create figurines, accessories, ritual paraphernalia, all sorts of decorative items.
Some of them can be called art objects, and not just beautiful handicrafts.
In addition, chalcedony sometimes becomes a material.to create decorative tiles, countertops, vases, sinks and more. Details from this mineral are incredibly beautiful in the form of inserts for inlay.
Varieties of chalcedony in astrology
For centuries, people believed that minerals have mystical properties. Chalcedony was no exception. It was believed that he has mystical power.
Today, astrologers also attribute to him a numberproperties. For example, it is believed that this mineral belongs to the sign of Virgo. Astrologers claim that it is most useful for those born on the 18th and 22nd lunar days. It is also believed that this mineral protects those born under the sign of Sagittarius.
Chalcedony treated?
Издревле этим камням приписывался целый ряд healing properties. Especially mystical for some reason has always been considered agate. Lithotherapists are prescribed to wear chalcedony to those who suffer from nervous exhaustion, depression, sleep disorders.
Unfortunately, no scientific justificationThe fact that chalcedony is treated is not. However, this concerns the therapeutic effect of absolutely all stones. In any case, no any serious research on this topic has been conducted.
However, one cannot argue with the fact thatA necklace or bracelet with intricate stones, presented to a tired and upset woman, can significantly improve her mood? If you like chalcedony, be sure to get at least a small trinket with this cute gem. May she bring joy.
How to distinguish a fake
Перед покупкой обратите внимание на некоторые important points. Chalcedony is easily affected. For example, they can change the color of almost any other. They absorb paint well, completely changing the shade and keeping the transition from dark to light tones. Heating to high temperatures also affects color. From some breeds in this way you can get stones that are very similar to carnelian.
Sometimes it looks very good. But real connoisseurs prefer the natural palette. In addition, unscrupulous sellers often simply hide this fact.
On the photo above are painted chalcedony. And if some of them look more or less plausible, then bright pink looks more like plastic.
Another type of fake is common.For example, a highly valued variety of chalcedony, which jewelers call "grapes". Nuggets are clusters of red-brown balls and have high decorative properties. For the purpose of falsification, polishers simply grind out such a shape from a poor quality rock, presenting it as a natural original. This phenomenon is especially common in the Far East.
And, of course, do not forget about the certificate. In most cases, this is a sufficient guarantee of quality.
Selection rules
To be sure of the quality of the purchase,treat it carefully and responsibly. Remember that natural stone can not be perfectly smooth. This applies to both shape and color. Screaming shades are a sign of a fake. And just coloring natural gems is not the only way to cheat! The stone can generally be made of plastic or glass.
All varieties of chalcedony have a low temperature. If you take a nugget in your hand, it will not heat up for a long time. He also has a relatively large weight. It is much heavier than plastic and glass.
Caring for chalcedony
Buying natural stone is not everything.Absolutely all chalcedony need care. Varieties of green stones, for example, are afraid of high temperatures. And ultrasonic cleaning is not recommended for black.
There are general rules for all minerals.Jewelry with chalcedony should not be stored in the total mass, because the stones can be damaged by the sharp edges of more durable gems. It is recommended to remove jewelry during sports - the effect of sweat adversely affects this stone. In no case can not clean chalcedony with acetone, alcohol, aggressive chemistry. Their wonderful coloring may suffer from this. And the noble translucency will turn into a banal haze.
If the product is stained, it is best to clean it with soap and cotton wool. After completion of the procedure, traces of the solution should be gently washed with running water.
