In order to work with our crystals effectively, we need to understand their properties. With crystals that look similar or have similar uses, such as Chalcedony and Chert it can be difficult to determine which one to work with. The answer should always be; the one that you are drawn to the most. However, if you are looking to find the difference in physical appearance as well as metaphysical properties, you’ll find your answer here.
Continue reading if you want to know more about the (physical) qualities of these stones, as well as how you can use them in your spiritual practice.
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Chalcedony vs. Chert – How To Tell The Difference?
In order to understand the difference between these two stones, we can look at the color, shape, pattern, clarity, and more. Below we’ll describe all these aspects in detail.
Chemical Composition
Chalcedony is a mineral that is formed from silica gels at shallow temperatures. The silica is emancipated from igneous and sedimentary rocks, and they end up losing all the silica, for example, basalt.
Chert is a sedimentary rock with refined grains which is made of microcrystalline quartz, which is in the form of silicon oxide. It mainly occurs organically, but can also form inorganically through chemical precipitate. It mainly occurs in the beds of limestone.
Color
Chalcedony is found in many different colors due to its elementary composition. Some are gray, blue, red, white, green, and brown. Some can also have a combination of colors, like in the case of jasper and agates. Just like the chalcedony, chert has a vast array of colors. They range from gray, grayish brown, brown, and rusty red to light green.
The presence of trace elements causes this color variation. The trace iron present is mainly associated with red and green colors.
Pattern and Clarity
Chalcedony is always milky in appearance, and therefore it’s usually semitransparent to translucent. After being cut, it has a vitreous or sometimes a waxy luster. This gemstone exhibits two crystal structures, either the monoclinic or trigonal structures.
The chert has a resinous luster, and their appearance is almost transparent, and transparent gems are not found. Most of these gemstones are opaque and dull. This gem has a non-clastic texture with very fine crystals.
Hardness
Chalcedony gemstone has a hardness that ranges from 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale, while the chert has a hardness of 7.0. Chalcedony is a hard stone that is not easy to break or chip. It has no cleavages because it is a crypto crystalline rock and thus only fractures when layers fall apart.
On the other hand, the chert gemstone breaks to form conchoidal fractures with sharp edges, which retain this shape for a long time because of its hardness. Chert can easily be scratched. Most people use a kitchen knife to identify a real chert by scratching, as the mark left seems metallic because of the tool that has been used.
Care
Chalcedony is cleaned by the use of warm, soapy water. A soft toothbrush can also be used to scrub to remove dust particles. Household chemicals, ultrasonic and steam cleaners should be avoided. This gemstone should not be exposed too much heat or sunlight as it may get damaged.
After cleaning, it should be wrapped in a cloth and away from other gemstones so that it does not scratch or get scratched. Cherts are cleaned using warm soapy water. A soft brush can also be used. It is then rinsed using running water.
This gem can be cleaned using several detergents such as vinegar, baking soda, oxalic acid muriatic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. Ultrasonic cleaning, in this case, is a safe method as it causes vibrations, and thus, it can get rid of very tiny dust particles. However, although it is an effective method, it is considered to be very risky.
Location
Chalcedony was first discovered in Greek in a town known as Chalcedon, and hence it was given its name chalcedony. Today, this gemstone is found in Madagascar, the United States, Namibia, and Brazil. Chert is currently, it is primarily found in eastern Kansas. It is also found in California, the United States, New York, and Georgia.
Uses
Jewelry
These two gemstones are usually used in making jewelry such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants. They are both challenging, and therefore, they make very durable jewelry. As a result of their vast colors, they make beautiful products that both genders can wear. They boost confidence, self-awareness, and self-love.
Also read: Full Guide To Brecciated Jasper vs Red Jasper (This is the Difference)
Properties
Chalcedony is believed to play an essential role in the maintenance of mineral assimilation and build-up in the blood veins. It is also thought to improve your physical energy and helps to fight against diseases of the blood, spleen, bones, and gallbladders.
Both gemstones enhance critical in people’s lives as they have emotional and mental healing to the wearer. For the chalcedony, it enhances self-confidence, taking away feelings of self-doubt, hostility, anger, frustration, and anxiety.
It takes away confusing emotions, which make you feel better, and decide on life situations you may be facing. It improves your speech and enables you to know when to speak and when to be quiet. Chert, on the other hand, helps you to improve your talents and make them better.
It also makes you independent either mentally, financially, or psychologically. This gemstone is believed to improve humor and have a calming influence on emotions.
It helps you to turn the negative energy into positive energy, bringing out a successful, positive result. By so doing, it makes you at peace and serenity within yourself and those around you.
Chakra association
Chalcedony is connected to the throat chakra, while the chert is associated with the heart chakra. Chalcedony is commonly said to be a speaker’s stone because it stimulates the throat chakra, which is the voice of the body.
This chakra helps you to talk out your mind and thoughts, and this brings on personal freedom. The chert stimulates the heart chakra. It improves blood flow and protects the heart from all illnesses. It also stimulates unconditional love, thus improving relationships and friendships. Furthermore, it also has forgiving energy, which soothes emotions, making it easy to let go of the past and welcome the present.
Zodiac association
Both chalcedony and chert are not birthstones. However, they are associated with some zodiac signs. Chalcedony is an intrinsic gemstone of cancer and Sagittarius. It is said to be a lucky gemstone for cancer and a secure stone for Sagittarius. The chert gemstone is associated with Leo’s astrological sign. Leo is associated with royalty, love, and passion. The lion usually symbolizes it.
Element Association
Chalcedony is a water and air element, while chert is an earth element. Air elements are believed to deal with formless, invisible, but necessary traits of air are unseen but very essential for life. The air sign makes this gemstone change your personality into a better, enabling better communication and more wisdom.
However, the water signs make you have deep emotions and be very sensitive to all situations. It also enhances a kind trait, making you very caring and welcoming. As an earth element, chert is a nourishing stone that tends to bring everything to the center. This gem’s element enables it to attribute happiness, ambition, commitment, and responsibility.
Also read: Full Guide To Shattuckite vs Chrysocolla (This is the Difference)
Ruling Planet
Chalcedony is ruled over by the moon, a ruler of cancer, and Jupiter, a ruler of Sagittarius, while chert is governed by the sun, a ruler of Leo. The moon controls emotions and things around us that determine how we feel.
The sun, on the other hand, is fierce and has an excellent luminary force that enhances power that helps you to have leadership skills. It also enhances creativity and vigor. The sun’s abilities make you lead a good life full of great traits such as self-confidence and the urge for wisdom.
Numerical Vibration
Chalcedony vibrates at a frequency of 9, but for the chert, it does not have a specific vibration as many gemstones are produced by it, and they vibrate at different frequencies. These vibrations enable these gems to profound their healing power, making them more intense and effective on those who own and are wearing them.
Best Combinations
These two gems can be used together to promote protection. These gemstones protect you from all the dangers that you could face either at home, at work, or on the roads. They could be used together to ensure safety.
Chalcedony can be combined with hematite to enhance how the mind works. This combination facilitates memory, recalling, focus, mental health, and emotional balance. They also facilitate listening and communication skills.
Barite and chalcedony are paired to attract friendship. They give you courage and self-confidence and eliminate shyness. They help you build strong bonds filled with laughter, positivity, encouragement, and honesty. These traits make spending time together with your partner great.
It can also be combined with lapis lazuli to stimulate the throat chakra, giving you the ability to speak out your mind and thoughts fearlessly.
Amethyst can be combined with the chert gemstone to bring about a peaceful environment, either at home or in the workplace. It helps you to make peaceful reconciliations in case of a conflict.
