chalcedony
1 synonym for chalcedony, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A fine-grained form of quartz that is almost transparent or has a milky sheen and breaks with a smooth, curved fracture.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
chalcedonite
How to use chalcedony
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
blue chalcedony
a piece of chalcedony
polished chalcedony
chalcedony beads
a chalcedony ring
Chalcedony is a technical mineralogical term also used generally for the gemstone in jewellery contexts.
Etymology
The word was borrowed from Latin chalcēdōnius, which came from Ancient Greek khalkēdónios, itself derived from khalkēdṓn. The Greek term is thought to be related to an Arabic word for the stone.
Full origin of chalcedony →Frequently asked questions
What is chalcedony made of?
Chalcedony is a fine-grained variety of quartz, which is why it looks almost transparent or has a milky, translucent quality.
How can you tell chalcedony from other quartz?
Chalcedony typically breaks with a smooth, curved fracture rather than along flat crystal faces.
Is chalcedony a precious stone?
It is usually classed as a semi-precious gemstone, valued for jewellery and carving rather than as a rare precious stone.
