Carnelian red gemstone metaphysical healing properties

Sunset fire of Chalcedony

CARNELIAN

Carnelian Origin & Physical Properties

Carnelian is a reddish to orange coral colored variety of Chalcedony which has been used for thousands of years as a gemstone throughout many cultures. Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline form of silica with grainy fibrous inter growths of Quartz and Moganite. Chalcedony shares the same chemical structure of Quartz and is also a silicon dioxide.

Carnelian can be translucent but is more often semi-translucent with its deep red to orange color caused by iron oxide dispersion within its atomic structure. Although Carnelian is often solid and uniform, some material is also banded and can be classified as a type of Agate. Carnelian has a hardness of 7 Mohs but its grainy dense internal structure makes it an incredibly durable stone.

The name Carnelian is derived from the Latin word ‘Cornum’, the antiquated name for the red colored fruit, Cornel cherry. Carnelian has been a popular stone for carving, and beads dating back to early Neolithic cultures in Bulgaria and the ancient Egyptians. Today, it continues to be used by jewelry designers, with the vast majority being used for the bead market. Important sources for Carnelian include India, Brazil, Uruguay and the United States.

CARNELIAN GEMSTONE PROPERTIES

Category

Properties

 Chemical Composition

Silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2)

 Mohs Hardness 

6-7

Luster

Vitreous, dull greasy, silky

 Specific Gravity

2.58 - 2.64

 Refractive Index

1.54 - 1.55

 Fluorescence 

Blue-white

Crystal System 

Hexagonal 

 Diaphaneity

Translucent

 Color

Orange, Red, Brown

 Origin

Indonesia, Brazil, India, Russia (Siberia), and Germany

 Chakra

Sacral (2nd)

 Zodiac 

Virgo

Element

Fire

Metaphysical Effects

Motivates, leadership, endurance, empowering, prosperity

Carnelian Healing & Metaphysical Properties

Carnelian red gemstone metaphysical healing properties

Carnelian History & Mythology