What on Earth is Carnelian?

Carnelian is a reddish-orange variety of chalcedony quartz, coloured by iron oxide and usually cut into beads, cabochons or cameos. It is often found in antique jewellery and can be uniform in colour or faintly banded. This guide covers its properties, history and lore; for other chalcedony stock, see our agate and wholesale gemstone beads.

The Physical Properties of Carnelian

Carnelian is a variety of Chalcedony Quartz. It comes in various shades of deep orange or reddish because of the presence of iron oxide. The best Carnelian stones are said to be from India where people place it in the sun to assist a change from brown to tints of orange and red. In lore, it was believed to calm the temper.

The History of Carnelian

The name Carnelian comes from a Medieval Latin word Cornelius which is derived the word cornum “ cornel cherry. The red variety of the gem dates from the Early Neolithic period (Bulgaria), but was also recovered from Bronze Age Minoan layers (Crete) where Cretans used it in decorative arts.

Most of the Carnelian on today's market is stained chalcedony from Uruguay or Brazil, but it can also be found in Madagascar, Peru, Japan, Poland, Slovakia, Iceland, Czech Republic, and Poland. However, the very best Carnelian stones come from India.

The Lore of Carnelian

There were many beliefs in the attributes of Carnelian throughout history. Ancient Egyptians wore Carnelian rings to ward off hatred, anger, jealousy, and bad tempers, but also to protect the dead in their journey to the afterlife. During the Renaissance period, a Carnelian amulet with a picture of a warrior engraved in it was placed in homes for protection from the storms and worn as a protective charm.

The Metaphysical Properties of Carnelian

In chakra traditions, carnelian is linked with the lower three chakras. With its fiery colour it is associated with the root chakra, with taking bold action, and with creative instincts and passion.

In crystal lore the stone is linked with concentration and understanding the inner self. It is often chosen by people who fear public speaking, because it is said to stand for self-worth and courage (without aggressiveness). It is also associated with creativity and with clearing negative energy, which is why it is sought by people who feel they're going nowhere in life and want a reminder of control.

Carnelian is most associated with the Sacral/Navel (2^nd) Chakra and the Solar Plexus. In chakra traditions, the Sacral/Navel Chakra relates to creativity and our sense of Self, while the Solar Plexus relates to confidence and personal power.

Carnelian has also been a popular stone for jewellery, particularly rings and beads, for thousands of years.