Northern Afghanistan Tribal Silver Pendant, from the Balkh region up close to the border with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and dating back to around the mid 1900s. Totally handmade, set with a fine slab 4mm thick of Carnelian.
Carnelian (or Cornelian) is a favourite gemstone of that part of the world. Carnelian is a type of Quartz gemstone, belonging to the Chalcedony family of gemstones, which includes Onyx and Bloodstone and Lavender. Carnelian is the orange-brown variety. The specimen in the above old Tribal pendant is a lovely example, quite translucent when held up against the light.
The English of the 1700s and 1800s used Carnelian extensively in rings and pendants, often carved. It was always one of the two Chalcedonies used in Victorian “Spinners”.