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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Ntnm5zWHp3a5a2ZT3zO3QHr4bY8aUy+nmqVIPYTyr8ejF3LbY0CO2WfxFnsc7KKj
 yaGzktpGBKZ1yizqVHuXxA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001182489-05-000527.txt : 20050808
<SEC-HEADER>0001182489-05-000527.hdr.sgml : 20050808
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050808141912
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001182489-05-000527
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050804
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050808
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050808

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KERTSON RICHARD A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001248183

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-13059
		FILM NUMBER:		051005484

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 639
		CITY:			YORBA LINDA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92885-0639
		BUSINESS PHONE:		714-970-7561

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CERADYNE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000018937
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES [3990]
		IRS NUMBER:				330055414
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3169 RED HILL
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7145490421

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		3169 RED HILL
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-04</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000018937</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CERADYNE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRDN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001248183</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KERTSON RICHARD A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3940-7 BROAD STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>#388</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN LUIS OBISPO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>93401</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-08-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3320</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3320</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Pro rata distribution from Needham Capital Partners, L.P., of which the reporting person is a limited partner.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jerrold J. Pellizzon, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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