also: こうぎょくずい
carnelian
A reddish-brown variety of chalcedony used as a gemstone. Both readings refer to the same stone.
Carnelian has been used for seals and ornaments since ancient times.
This ring is set with a carnelian.
Standard kanji spelling for carnelian; also read こうぎょくずい.
Alternate reading of the same kanji form; less common than べにぎょくずい.
From 紅 (red) + 玉髄 (chalcedony). The reading べに is the native Japanese word for red, while こう is the Sino-Japanese reading of 紅.