Chalcedony Stone

History of Chalcedony Stone

Discovered in Asia Minor (Turkey) in 4000 BC, chalcedony stone takes its name from the ancient port of the city of Kalkêdôn (Chalcedon), due to its numerous deposits. During this period, Babylonians and Assyrians used this stone for crafting tools or to create cylinder seals for protecting texts. Later in the Bronze Age, the Minoans continued the tradition of seals. Chalcedony was favoured for this purpose due to its low adhesion to wax when applied. Chalcedony stone was often depicted by the Romans and was worn for its virtues: speech and eloquence. Roman orator Cicero wore one in each of his speeches. The Romans also used chalcedony to make offerings and for bracelets, necklaces, brooches and rings. The Egyptians also left behind beautiful artifacts made of this natural stone.

Chalcedony stone is included in the most important Holy Scriptures. Having descended from heaven, it is cited in the Bible as the third foundation of the wall of Jerusalem. In the Torah, chalcedony is one of the ornamental stones embellished in the Breastplate of Judgement. According to some Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad recommended to all those he crossed to wear agate (from the chalcedony family) to attract wealth. Much later in the Middle Ages, abbess Hildegard of Bingen recommended blue Chalcedony for its virtues that reduced susceptibility to nervousness and anger. Even during this time period, anger was considered a cause of illness and chalcedony stone was used for its calming virtues. The abbess once expressed: “If a person carries chalcedony, they must make sure the stone is in contact with the skin, if possible on the path of a vein.” Over the centuries, chalcedony gradually lost its appeal and during the Renaissance it was only used for ornamental purposes.

Today, chalcedony is still mined in the many deposits found around the world, but principally in Asia for the manufacturing of chalcedony bracelets and necklaces. The stones in the chalcedony family include: agate, aventurine, blue chalcedony, chrysoprase, heliotrope, jasper, matorolite, onyx and sardoin.

Origin and Composition of Chalcedony Stone

Chalcedony stone comes in many different varieties and offers both polished plates with circular patterns, small thin layers of microcrystals, rounded pebbles or in rough fragments. Chalcedony belongs to the microcrystalline quartz group and is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2). It has a hardness between 6.5 and 7 and has a Trigonal or monoclinic crystal system. Chalcedony stone is primarily mined in Brazil, India, Madagascar and Uruguay. Its colour variants range from blue to light mauve to bluish milky grey. Chalcedony is widely used in jewellery for its soft blue and pastel colour, particularly in the manufacturing of bracelets, necklaces and pendants.

Litho Therapeutic Properties of Chalcedony Stone

Chalcedony Stone’s Mental Benefits

Mentally, chalcedony is a very positive and peaceful stone that can bring softness and calm. Chalcedony stone helps to alleviate sadness, mourning and sorrow. It mainly works on the frontal chakra and is recommended for people who may experience excess aggression and irritability. Indeed, because of its soothing actions, chalcedony stone prevents outbursts and promotes cooperation. Chalcedony also mitigates all forms of verbal provocation through the throat chakra. In this sense, it helps shy people by improving their ability to express themselves. Communication and dialogue is promoted for the wearer, and understanding and concentration are improved.

Spiritually, chalcedony stone represents innocence in our spiritual pursuits. It allows one to project themselves into altered states of mind, without stress or worry. This stone fosters the expression of creativity, especially artistically, while developing our sensitivity.

Chalcedony Stone’s Physical Benefits

Physically, chalcedony stone helps to soothe larynx pain. This stone also promotes self-expression, especially towards others. Chalcedony limits hoarseness and greatly reduces stuttering. It relaxes the vocal cords while alleviating tension in the throat. In the event of a fracture, chalcedony will allow for better healing, as well as calcification of the nails.

Chalcedony is very beneficial for hardening of the arteries in case of problems, while reducing those related to blood circulation. For post-partum women, it stimulates lactation. Finally, it works on the eyes, calming their irritation and dilation of the iris’s blood vessels.