chalcedony

American  

[kal-sed-uhn-ee, kal-suh-doh-nee] / kælˈsɛd ən i, ˈkæl səˌdoʊ ni /

noun

• chalcedonies
  plural

1. a microcrystalline, translucent variety of quartz, often milky or grayish.

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chalcedony British  

/ kælˈsɛdənɪ /

noun

1. a microcrystalline often greyish form of quartz with crystals arranged in parallel fibres: a gemstone. Formula: SiO 2

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chalcedony Scientific  

/ kăl-sĕd′n-ē /

1. A type of quartz that has a waxy luster and varies from transparent to translucent. It is usually white, pale-blue, gray, brown, or black and is often found as a lining in cavities. Agate, flint, and onyx are forms of chalcedony. Chemical formula: SiO ₂ .

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• chalcedonic
  adjective
• chalcedonous
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• chalcedonies
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of chalcedony

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English calcedonie, from Late Latin chalcēdōnius (Vulgate, Revelation 21:19), equivalent to chalcēdōn- (from Greek chalkēdṓn “chalcedony,” identified by Saint Jerome with Chalcedon, the city) + -ius adjective suffix; see -ious

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chalcedony chalcedonies

Encased in blue chalcedony, set with diamonds and hung from a black silk ribbon, the piece is a contemporary interpretation of Baillères’ Mexican heritage.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026

The outfit was by 4SDesigns, but that the accompanying chain around his neck was an 18-karat white gold, platinum, chalcedony, turquoise and diamond necklace by Cartier somewhat complicated the point.

From New York Times ● May 3, 2022

Watts gleamed in jewels, pairing her pavé diamond rings with a dazzler of a sapphire, diamond and chalcedony necklace.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 19, 2015

The subtle color mixes included lilac diamonds with lavender chalcedony, purple sapphires and pink spinels.

From New York Times ● Jul. 4, 2011

The box was carved wood, its mother-of-pearl lid inlaid with jasper and chalcedony.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Ceraunia, engendered by the thunder, sparkled by the side of chalcedonies, which are a cure for poison.

From Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert

Emeralds abound in the region about Mount Zabara, and the eastern desert further yields jaspers, carnelians, breccia verde, agates, chalcedonies, and rock-crystal.

From Ancient Egypt by George Rawlinson

She had filled her pockets with specimens of obsidian, jaspers, and chalcedonies, of colors most beautiful, with a deep-dyed opaqueness, a shell-fracture, and a satiny polish like jade.

From A Touch of Sun and Other Stories by Mary Hallock Foote

There were rich red garnets, variegated jaspers, chalcedonies and agates of many hues mingled with rock-crystals.

From Wealth of the World's Waste Places and Oceania by Jewett Castello Gilson

Even precious stones are not wanting; garnets, topazes, tourmalines, amethysts, beryls, jaspers, and chalcedonies having been found.

From A Tramp's Wallet stored by an English goldsmith during his wanderings in Germany and France by William Duthie

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