Chalcedony was a treasured gemstone of the ancient world. No important Roman was without a seal, amulet or signet ring carved from this fine, durable material. The Victorians, too, chose chalcedony for carved cameos and intaglios; its fine texture allows for intricate craftsmanship. Today, jewelry designers love its glowing, translucent tones and its wide range of colors and shapes.

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Chalcedony is best known for its variety of colors and patterns. The translucent stripes and bands of agates, the rich green and brown of fine-grained jasper, the plan-like forms of moss agate, the green and red pattern of bloodstone, the translucent orange-red of carnelian and apple-green of chrysoprase, and the striking black of onyx are all faces of this versatile quartz gem.

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This type of stone is found in the United States, Brazil, Africa, India, Madagascar, and Southern China.

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Durable and easy to care for, chalcedony has a hardness of 7 and enviable toughness, even when carved in ornate designs.