Carnelian: Meaning, origins and properties

Carnelian is a fine stone very appreciated in jewelry thanks to its cheerful and energizing orange-red color. It gives pep to a bracelet, a necklace or earrings.
Make your own gemstone jewelry with our carnelian jewelry components.

What is carnelian?

Carnelian is a fine stone (formerly called "semi-precious stone"). It takes its name from the Latin "cornus mas" which refers to the fruit of the blood dogwood tree.

The origin of carnelian

For thousands of years, it has been used to create jewelry, decorations, seals or engravings. The first uses of carnelian date back to 2700 BC.
In ancient Egypt, this gemstone had a special place. Because of its color, the Egyptians called it "sunset". In mythology, the Goddess Isis used carnelian to accompany the dead on their journey to the afterlife. Like emerald, lapis lazuli or turquoise, this natural stone adorned the sacred headdresses of the pharaohs.
It was also a sign to indicate high social rank.

In ancient Rome, it was used to make seals (because the wax does not stick to its surface) and jewelry such as signet rings, engraved rings or amulets to attract protection and luck. To enhance its color, the Romans used gold or silver leaf.

In China, it was mixed with iron oxide. This preparation was used to enamel fine porcelain.

In the Middle Ages, it was said that carnelian brought courage and warrior spirit to those who wore it on a battlefield.

What is the color of carnelian?

Its color varies from light pink, orange, vermilion red, yellow-orange, orange-red and brown-red. The intensity and variations of its color depend on the concentration of iron oxide.
It is sometimes confused with sardony, which is less opalescent and more brownish.

To strengthen its color, stone professionals use heat treatment.

What are the properties of carnelian?

Carnelian is a member of the chalcedony family. It has a hardness between 6 and 7 on the Mohs scale and a density of 2.59 to 2.61.
It forms in the cavities of volcanic rocks.

Where to find carnelian ?

The main deposits of this fine orange-red stone are in Brazil, India, Australia, Madagascar and Uruguay.

What are the benefits of carnelian ?

In lithotherapy, the virtues of carnelian are multiple. This gemstone is a protective and energizing stone, symbol of vitality and dynamism. Its joyful color is supposed to evoke courage, positive character and strength while chasing away dark ideas and negative thoughts.

When it is placed at the level of the chakra of the solar plexus, it would calm the angers and the jealousies. It would allow to improve the concentration and the capacities in the work notably in the distracted or dreamy persons.
Linked to the sacral chakra (or lumbar chakra), it allows to boost the creativity, the vitality, the self-confidence and the spontaneity.

It is very well suited to meditation with stones.

Attention: our gemstones are not sold for lithotherapy. Natural stones can in no way substitute for medical expertise or treatment.

How to clean and purify a carnelian ?

To chase away the negative energies that this natural stone will have accumulated over time, it must be purified and recharged.
To clean and purify it, there are several techniques:

• Immerse it in distilled salt water or spring water for a few hours. Avoid tap water, which can damage the stone. Dry your stone well by rubbing it with a soft cloth.
• Bury it in the ground in a quiet place for several days.
• Try fumigation with incense.

To recharge it, you can place it under sunlight or moonlight for a few hours. To strengthen this method, place the carnelian on a pile of quartz or amethyst.

How to wear carnelian in jewelry?

The shine and cool color of925 silver andstainless steel gives it an irresistible contrast, which underlines its warm color. But nothing prevents you from matching it with a gold-plated or gold-filled jewel. The result will be just as charming and will highlight its orange hues.

Which stone to wear with carnelian? Pair it with citrine, garnet, red jasper, amber, sunstone, tiger's eye or calcite. These warm and energizing stones are a perfect match.
Which stone should not be worn with carnelian? Lithotherapists advise against wearing a carnelian stone with cold stones such as aquamarine, amazonite or moonstone, at the risk of losing all their benefits.