Chalcedony

This content was prepared by Dominic Fargnoli, Rowan University, 2021

Overview

  • Chalcedony is a waxy material that is a variety of quartz. Holding a high silica content, this material was a popular choice in flintknapping and in the construction of stone tools throughout the various periods in North America.

  • Found in many regions around the world, chalcedony is a very common material which is the cause for it to be found so widespread where stone tools were created.

Properties

  • High silica content leads it to being brittle which is an effective property when creating stone tools.

  • The most common variety of chalcedony are those that have a white appearance, with a waxy feel and dull color sheen.

  • This term is also used as an umbrella term, describing other varieties such as agate, jasper, and onyx.

Sources:

  • "Chalcedony". 2021. Geologylearn.Blogspot.Com. http://geologylearn.blogspot.com/2016/12/chalcedony.html.

  • " Chalcedony: The Gemstone Chalcedony Information And Pictures ". 2021. Minerals.Net. https://www.minerals.net/gemstone/chalcedony_gemstone.aspx.

  • https://www.mindat.org/min-960.html

  • https://www.mindat.org/locentries.php?p=14024&m=960