20 × 16 × 5 mm tear-drop carnelian cabochon, hand-cut in our lapidary workshop. The piece displays the characteristic orange tones of this chalcedony —from light peach to terracotta red— with subtle banding and visible translucency when backlit.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Carnelian (orange variety of chalcedony, microcrystalline quartz) |
| Color |
Deep orange to terracotta red with subtle banding when backlit |
| Dimensions |
20 × 16 × 5 mm |
| Shape and Back |
Rounded tear-drop, flat polished back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
6.5–7 Mohs — suitable for rings and daily wear |
| Origin |
India or South America (majority commercial deposits); material acquired from lapidary wholesale market |
| Treatment |
No treatment. Orange color due to native iron oxides in the rock |
| Piece Type |
Unique piece — hand-cut |
This specific piece
The orange saturation is not uniform: in the central area, it tends towards a deeper terracotta red, and towards the edges, more translucent areas appear where light peach allows light to pass through. When the piece is held up to the light, the subtle banding characteristic of chalcedony becomes visible, especially in the thinner areas of the tear-drop's perimeter. The flat back was prepared to sit cleanly on a bezel base; the tear-drop silhouette allows the bezel to be built directly on the contour.
What setting it works for
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Bezel setting (925 silver or other metals) — the flat back is suitable for a clean bezel; the contrast of orange on silver or copper is one of the most sought-after color pairs in artisan jewelry
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Pendants with silver settings — the 20 × 16 mm format is classic for a main pendant; the apex of the tear-drop serves as a natural point for the chain
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Statement rings — the 6.5–7 Mohs hardness allows for daily wear; we prefer full bezel settings that protect the flanks from side impacts
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Wire wrap — an alternative for those who work with wire wrapping; the rounded edges of the tear-drop allow for smooth wraps without snagging the wire
Carnelian in Mediterranean lapidary tradition
Carnelian is one of the most documented minerals in jewelry history. Egyptians used it in signet rings and funerary amulets —the Eye of Horus was frequently carved in carnelian due to its sun-associated hue—. In Mesopotamia and classical Rome, it was the dominant stone in cameos and intaglios.
How to recognize genuine carnelian
Natural carnelian shows internal banding visible when held up to the light and tilted, with lighter and darker areas within the same orange tone. Imitations of dyed agate tend to have a uniform, flat color, with dark edges where the dye accumulates. Under 10x magnification, genuine carnelian presents a matte microcrystalline texture; dyed pieces show internal cracks with irregular pigment concentration.
Frequently asked questions
Is it dyed?
No detectable treatment. The orange color comes from naturally occurring iron oxides in the rock.
Does the color change when backlit?
Yes. When the piece is held up to the light, the orange intensifies and the characteristic translucent bands of chalcedony appear. The effect is more visible in the thinner areas of the tear-drop's perimeter.
Is it durable enough for a daily wear ring?
Yes, with caution. The 6.5–7 Mohs hardness is suitable for daily wear, but we recommend a full bezel setting —which protects the entire perimeter— instead of prongs, which would leave the flanks exposed to side impacts.
Are there other pieces identical to this one?
No. Each cabochon is cut from a different rock fragment. The exact distribution of the banding, the saturation of the orange, and the transition between translucent and opaque areas are unique to this piece.
More about carnelian: properties, meaning, and uses. See also: all cabochons · artisan pendants.
