CHALCEDONY

As early as the Bronze Age chalcedony was in use in the Mediterranean region; for example, on Minoan Crete at the Palace of Knossos, chalcedony seals have been recovered dating to circa 1800 BC. People living along the Central Asian trade routes used various forms of chalcedony, including carnelian, to carve intaglios, ring bezels (the upper faceted portion of a gem projecting from the ring setting), and beads that show strong Graeco-Roman influence. Fine examples of first century objects made from chalcedony, possibly Kushan, were found in recent years at Tillya-tepe in north-western Afghanistan. Hot wax would not stick to it so it was often used to make seal impressions. The term chalcedony is derived from the name of the ancient Phoenician town Chalkedon in Asia Minor, in modern English usually spelled Chalcedon, today the Chalcedony district of Istanbul. Chalcedony has a waxy lustre, and may be semitransparent or translucent. It can assume a wide range of colours, but those most commonly seen are white to grey, greyish-blue. Location - Worldwide Group - Silica Hardness - 6-7