Birthstone Month:
Caribbean Blue Chalcedony is not associated with any particular birthstone month.

Zodiac:
Caribbean Blue Chalcedony is not associated with any particular zodiac sign.

Chemical Symbol:
SiO2

Chemical Make-up:
Chalcedony is a Silicon Dioxide.

History & Lore:
The name Chalcedony is widely believed to be a direct reference to an ancient Greek settlement in Asia minor. Whilst this settlement was known as Chalkedon, modern English usually presents this as being spelled Chalcedon, hence the forming of the name Chalcedony for this gemstone variety.

Chalcedony has been in use almost as long as the earth has been inhabited and some of the earliest primitive tools created by man's ancestors some 2.5 million years ago were made of various types of Chalcedony.  Owing to the huge number of varieties available, Chalcedony soon graduated from being used just for tools, and eventually became a popular material for decorative purposes and jewelry adornments.

Chalcedonies are believed to have been considered sacred stones by Native American Indians and they were often used for ceremonial purposes, particularly for promoting stability within the tribes.

Chalcedonies are believed to promote charity, improve relationships and enhance the wearers ability to offer kindness to others, as well as irradicating feelings of hostility, negativity and irritability. Chalcedonies are also credited with having the ability to promote emotional balance and to improve the wearers vitality and stamina.

Availability:
Chalcedony is an abundant gemstone, and is found in a wide range of colors and shapes. Excellent availability ensures that all Chalcedony varieties remain relatively inexpensive.

Sources:
Chalcedony deposits occur worldwide.

Evaluation:
Caribbean Blue Chalcedony is rated at 7 on Moh's Scale of Hardness and is a tough, durable gem that is suitable for all jewelry applications, and easy to care for. It is a translucent stone with a waxy luster and a medium light blue-green to turquoise color. Caribbean Blue Chalcedony's at the pinnacle of the value spectrum will have strong color saturation and high translucence.

Common Cuts:
Its durability and fine texture not only allow Caribbean Blue Chalcedony to be cut into almost all of the commonly recognized gemstone shapes / cuts, but also allows delicate and intricate pieces of workmanship. Chalcedony is also often used for tribal carvings and / or sculptures.

Routine Enhancements:
Chalcedony is porous and is therefore routinely dyed to produce or enhance coloration.

Care & Cleaning:
Caribbean Blue Chalcedony is best cleaned using warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Chalcedony does not require any special care for wearing or cleaning, but nonetheless should be kept away from exposure to extremes of heat and household chemicals that could possibly damage the stone. Always store your Caribbean Blue Chalcedony jewelry in a fabric-lined box away from other jewelry items in order to avoid damage / scratching.