chalcedony

noun

chal·​ce·​do·​ny kal-ˈse-də-nē How to pronounce chalcedony (audio)
chal-;
ˈkal-sə-ˌdō-nē How to pronounce chalcedony (audio)
ˈchal-,
-ˌdä-
plural chalcedonies
: a translucent variety of quartz of various colors and waxy luster
chalcedonic adjective

Examples of chalcedony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Bloodstone is a variety of chalcedony, usually dark green with splotches of red hematite. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Stones like malachite and chalcedony were especially popular in the house’s 1970s designs (the trademark long gold pendants are often studded with them, and the highly collectible zodiac charms featured them as backgrounds). Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 21 Aug. 2023 Others, like chrysoprase, green chalcedony, and malachite, are perhaps less so. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 21 Aug. 2023 In addition to the green stones mentioned above, there are Van Cleef & Arpels designs crafted from chrysoprase and green chalcedony on exhibit. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 8 June 2023 And in this particular Sous les Etoiles universe, a Céphéide necklace arrives in chalcedony and tsavorite, an outline of the sun in mauve sapphires and tanzanite, a Halley’s Comet in white and yellow diamonds, a lapis Milky Way, and a comet streaking rubies against the sky. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 23 Mar. 2021 The pusher guards and outer bezel are made of chalcedony, a semi-translucent, fairly tough quartz stone with a pale blue hue. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2023 Discovered in Africa in 2013, aquaprase is a bluish-green variant of chalcedony with a swirling, multicolor appearance (on full display in the 27.75 carats seen here). Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2022 Cartier’s signature use of beads in colorful coral, emeralds and sky-blue chalcedony gives even large-scale designs a sense of relaxed elegance. Town & Country, 29 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chalcedony.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English calcedonie, a precious stone, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin chalcedonius, from Greek Chalkēdōn Chalcedon

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chalcedony was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near chalcedony

Cite this Entry

“Chalcedony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chalcedony. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chalcedony

noun
chal·​ced·​o·​ny
kal-ˈsed-ᵊn-ē,
ˈchal-sə-ˌdän-ē
plural chalcedonies
: a nearly transparent quartz of various colors and with waxy luster

More from Merriam-Webster on chalcedony

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