Blue chalcedony is stealing the show among blue gemstones in designer jewelry. And among other blue gemstone dazzlers, blue Chalcedony is fairly easy to find, and is definitely easier on the pocketbook than most other of the well known blue gemstones.
A piece of natural rough blue Chalcedony
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The most common forms of blue Chalcedony are solid stones, cut first, then carved into beads with smooth, faceted, or textured surfaces in shapes of every possible variety.
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Blue Chalcedony also comes in a few other forms. Botryoidal is the bubble-like form that yields a wavy texturized surface that displays so nicely in designer jewelry. Another form is druzy, which comes from the crystalline interior of geode formations. Because it forms only on the inside surfaces of internal rock voids, druzy of any kind is not particularly abundant and is therefore pricey. The blue variety of both is also quite uncommon.
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Botryoidal and Druzy blue Chalcedony
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Blue Chalcedony comes primarily from sources in Africa, including Namibia and Malowi, in Turkey, and in the state of Washington. Most designers acquire their blue Chalcedony for their designs from a few special sources in Tucson at the annual February Gem Fair. And, while the exact source of the Gem Fair vendors is unknown, most appears to be the blue Chalcedony that matches that which that can be identified as coming from Turkey. This is not because the vendors are Turkish fellows but because of the rich blue color which is characteristic of Chalcedony from quarries in West Anatolia. The blue in blue Chalcedony from other sources tends to be lighter and from some areas the stones are more translucent.
Blue Chalcedony comes primarily from sources in Africa, including Namibia and Malowi, in Turkey, and in the state of Washington. Most designers acquire their blue Chalcedony for their designs from a few special sources in Tucson at the annual February Gem Fair. And, while the exact source of the Gem Fair vendors is unknown, most appears to be the blue Chalcedony that matches that which that can be identified as coming from Turkey. This is not because the vendors are Turkish fellows but because of the rich blue color which is characteristic of Chalcedony from quarries in West Anatolia. The blue in blue Chalcedony from other sources tends to be lighter and from some areas the stones are more translucent.
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Cut and polished blue Chalcedony in Sterling Silver pendants.
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Blue Chalcedony is a beautiful blue stone that should not be overlooked among the dazzle of other blue gemstones like Lapis Lazuli, Tanzanite, Topaz and Sapphire. And with blue Chalcedony, you’ll not only get dazzle but definitely more blue bang for your buck.
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At least for now anyway !
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Blue Chalcedony combined with White Fresh Water Pearls is a striking combination
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