Chalcedony

kal-sed'o-ny, a precious stone found first in the ancient Greek town of Chalcedon in Asia Minor nearly opposite Constantinople. It is an amorphous form of quartz, having a milky color, more or less clouded with veins, circles, and spots. It is used in the manufacture of jewelry. Like the agate, to which it is closely related, chalcedony often contains stains resembling bits of petrified moss or plants. Sometimes pebbles contain a drop of water. Fine specimens are obtained from the centers of basaltic rocks in Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, and the Rocky Mountains. A white chalcedony containing small blood-red spots is called St. Stephen's stone. At one time chalcedony was used much more and was more highly prized than at the present time. It was employed not only for seals and rings, but also for plates, cups, and vases. These were often engraved in the most elaborate manner. See Quartz; Sand; Agate