Carnelian is a translucent, reddish-orange variety of chalcedony that has been used in jewelry for thousands of years. It is typically found in volcanic cavities or as rounded nodules in gravel beds, prized by collectors for its warm, vibrant color and smooth, waxy luster.
Is this carnelian?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch carnelian with a known reference. Carnelian sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Carnelian leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Carnelian typically shows a vitreous to waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, red-orange, brownish-red, orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, nodules, botryoidal.
Often confused with
Carnelian vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to waxy on Carnelian and waxy on Sard.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to waxy on Carnelian and waxy on Jasper.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to waxy on Carnelian and vitreous on Sunstone.
Often found alongside carnelian
Minerals reported to co-occur with carnelian. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.58-2.64 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Waxy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Nodules, Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Gemstone, Lapidary, Ornamental
- Host rock
- Volcanic Cavities, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $5-50 per specimen
Where rockhounds find carnelian
45 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- India
- Brazil
- Uruguay
- Egypt
- USA
U.S. states with carnelian
Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce carnelian.
Field-hunting tip
Look in volcanic cavities, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where carnelian typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, agate in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, nodules, botryoidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Washington, Oregon, North Carolina — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify carnelian?+
Where is carnelian found?+
Can I find carnelian in the United States?+
How much is carnelian worth?+
What rocks look like carnelian?+
What minerals are found with carnelian?+
What kind of rock does carnelian form in?+
What is carnelian used for?+
Find carnelian on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
