Chalcedony

Description

Chalcedony is a compact, cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline variation of silica composed primarily of quartz alongside secondary intergrown moganite. While both components share the chemical formula SiO2, they exhibit distinct structural differences: quartz possesses a trigonal symmetry, whereas moganite is monoclinic. Characteristically, these minerals form through the arrangement of extremely fine crystals in parallel fibrous chains. Within ceramic applications, chalcedony functions as a source of high-purity silica. Its dense, microcrystalline nature influences its behavior during thermal processing, where it serves as a non-plastic material that contributes to the silica content of ceramic bodies and glaze formulations.