Carnelian: Meanings, Properties, Facts & More

 

The carnelian is the most famous and, usually, least expensive chalcedony variety. This semi-precious quartz stone is one of the popular orange stones. However, it can range in color from pale orange to rich, near reddish-orange to a deep reddish-brown. It can also be anything from totally translucent to semi-opaque.

If you’re interested in learning more about Carnelian, keep reading!

What Is Carnelian?

Iron oxide is the source of this semi-precious orange gemstone’s color. This means it can quite easily be heat-treated, even by just laying it out in the sun. Exposing the stone to heat will darken its red tones as the iron oxidizes.

Keep this in mind when purchasing a carnelian. Assume that, unless specifically informed otherwise, your stone has been heat treated.

History Of Carnelian

Carnelian has left its mark on civilizations throughout, its origins in the Neolithic period in Bulgaria, where artisans crafted intricate carnelian beads, to its prominence in the Bronze Age on the island of Crete, Carnelian has been cherished and utilized by ancient cultures.

The Romans recognized its potential and used it for crafting seals and signets, while other civilizations incorporated carnelian into their art, religious practices, and symbolic representations. Today, museums around the world proudly display carnelian artifacts.

Check out our complete guide on the History of Carnelian.

Where Is Carnelian Found?

Commercial orange carnelian comes mostly from India, but countries the world over mine it. Brazil, Egypt, and Uruguay are also important sources of this stone helped along with iron oxide.

Meaning of Carnelian

Carnelian captivates in much the same way that the flash of a fiery sunset or the first blaze of autumnal brilliance does. It symbolizes bold energy, warmth, and joy that lingers as much as it empowers and stimulates.

Carnelian’s meaning is known for being a stone of courage, endurance, energy, leadership, and motivation. This Sunset Stone has inspired and protected us throughout history thanks to their bright, rich coloring.

Ancient Egyptians called carnelians “the setting sun” or the “Sunset Stone” because its orange hues lend it more female, passive, receptive, qualities. The stone links to the rich and fertile menstrual blood of Isis, a major goddess in the old religion.

However, when the stone’s hues are redder, red-orange, and reddish-brown, it became an active male energy stone. It is traditionally worn to enhance desire, love, and passion as carnelian can help in these areas.

Benefits & Healing Properties

Carnelian is a healing crystal for a reason, it is able to heal the body, mind, and soul. Its properties and connection to the Chakras help us in various aspects of our lives.

Physical Healing Properties

Carnelian stones are believed to be great for balancing body energy levels, increasing coordination during physical exercise regimes, and as training aids. This is because Carnelian can help to stimulate the muscles and allow oxygen to flow smoothly within the body. The warm nature of the stone also helps to heal stiff bodies and allows you to feel “freer” and “looser”.

This special gem can also help to stimulate sexual energy and boost fertility. Therefore, if you are having difficulties in this area, consider using the Carnelian to give you a lil help in the bedroom.

Emotional Healing Properties

The Carnelian gemstone is also known as The Singer’s Stone because it promotes confidence in people performing on stage or in live media. For the timid and shy ones, use this stone to give you a push when speaking to an audience. For those with a job that requires much performance, Carnelian helps support you in your endeavors.

The Carnelian also called The Artist’s Stone by promoting energy flow and lets your creative juices flow. Paint, write, dance, sang, whatever it may be, the Carnelian is here to encourage and bolster your efforts.

Mind Healing Properties

Carnelian has the potential to enhance mental abilities and intelligence while providing relief from depression and anxiety. It can motivate individuals who are physically inactive and stimulate analytical thinking.

On top of that, it aids in learning, and memory improvement, and supports workaholics, competitive individuals, and those with perfectionistic tendencies. It can also assist indecisive individuals.

What Chakra Is Carnelian For?

The carnelian has a connection to three lower Chakras, the foundation of them all being Root Chakra. This is the Chakra that keeps us grounded and in balance.

The stone is also connected to the Sacral Chakra, and the crystal healing abilities of the carnelian include boosting listless attitudes and stimulating appetites.

The final Chakra is the Solar Plexus Chakra, the Chakra that governs our personality, identity, and ego. It gives us our fighting spirit and thus the carnelian will support us in whatever obstacles we face.

Other Benefits

Carnelian stones are also said to be magnets for prosperity and good luck. It’s often used by people when they need a healthy dose of good fortune, making this a lucky stone. Because it also functions as a crystal of ambition, determination, and drive, it’s believed that Carnelian helps protect the wearer from the sluggish energies of incompetent co-workers.

Can Carnelian Get Wet?

While it’s not recommended, as long as you keep your carnelian away from saltwater you should be alright. The best way to cleanse these stones, however, is sunshine. Orange, red, and yellow crystals love sunbathing, so put them out in the natural light for a while to help them recharge.

How To Cleanse Your Carnelian Stone?

Like all crystals, they require much care and effort so that we can bring out the most of their powers. Water is one way to neutralize any negative energy stored inside your carnelian crystal and return it back to its natural state. While natural running water, like a river or stream, is best, you can also simply rinse it under a tap if needs be.

Whatever your source of water is, make sure that you completely submerge your stone and pat it dry when you’re done.

Is Carnelian A Zodiac Birthstone?

While it’s not a modern birthstone, it is often associated with the zodiac sign of Virgo, or the Autumn months of August and September. Just like how the leaves fall during this time, the Carnelian is a symbol of new beginnings. With Virgos being naturally passionate individuals, the Carnelian can further protect Virgos and boost their creativity.

Facts Related To Carnelian

Let’s take a closer look at some facts related to Carnelian

Physical Properties

• Category: Chalcedony variety
• Formula: Silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2)
• Crystal System: Trigonal
• Color: Red, orange, reddish
• Cleavage: None
• Fracture: Uneven, splintery, conchoidal
• Hardness: 6.5 – 7.0 on the Moh Scale
• Luster: Waxy to resinous
• Streak: White
• Diaphaneity: Translucent to opaque
• Specific Gravity: 2.58 – 2.64
• Optical Properties: Uniaxial +
• Refractive Index: 1.535 to 1.539
• Birefringence: 0.003 to 0.009
• Pleochroism: None

Formation Process of Carnelian

Carnelian is created through a geological process called diagenesis, wherein sediments undergo transformation into sedimentary rocks. This occurs when solutions rich in silica permeate porous rocks and progressively deposit layers of chalcedony, including carnelian, within the rock’s structure. With the passage of time, these deposits harden, resulting in the distinctive bands or nodules observed in carnelian formations.

If you wanna read more about Carnelian Scientific Facts, check it out!

Uses of Carnelian

During the Roman era, carnelian enjoyed widespread usage in creating engraved gems for signet or seal rings, which were employed to imprint wax seals on important documents. One unique quality of carnelian is that hot wax does not stick to it.

In present times, Carnelians are still widely being used as gemstones, jewelry, decorative objects, and even in metaphysical practices due to their believed benefits and properties. 

How Do You Wear Carnelian?

Wearing a carnelian on your ring finger is said to be particularly helpful. Followers of the Islamic religion believe that praying with this ring on your finger makes your requests and gratitude a hundred times more potent. The hues of the gem make it the perfect foil for most skin types, so you’ll be able to find something that works with your tone.

Is Carnelian Expensive?

As attractive as carnelian crystals are, they’re not particularly rare. This makes them affordable for just about everybody. The average price for a small stone is around $9.00, up to $50 for larger ones.

The brighter, more reddish-orange tones that are similar to jasper stone fetch higher prices. Naturally, the bigger and cleaner the stone, the higher its value will be.

Where To Buy Carnelian Stone Online?

There are plenty of places to buy Carnelian online. From specialty online shops to online giants like Amazon.

Our recommendation is to browse Amazon first to get a sense of prices, variety and quality. Then do a detailed comparison online. A specialty retailer is TinyRituals, which only sells gemstones and crystals of Grade AA or better.

How Can You Tell If Carnelian Is Fake?

Many carnelians for sale in today’s markets are actually dyed and heat-treated agate, but there is quite an easy way to identify natural ones. Hold it against the light. Dyed agate will show stripes and natural carnelians will have a cloudier distribution of color.

Final Thoughts

Carnelian is a popular chalcedony stone with a range of colors from pale orange to deep reddish-brown. It symbolizes bold energy, courage, and motivation. Carnelian offers physical healing by balancing energy levels and stimulating muscles.

Emotionally, it boosts confidence and creativity, while mentally it enhances intelligence and memory. It is associated with the Root, Sacral, and Solar Plexus Chakras. Carnelian is believed to attract prosperity and good luck.

It can be cleaned with water and sunlight. It is associated with Virgo and the autumn months. Carnelian can be purchased online, and it offers a wide range of uses in jewelry and decoration.

FAQs

Is it good to wear a carnelian every day?

Wearing Carnelian daily can bring vitality, courage, a boost of creative energy, and a lot more benefits to your life.

Who should not wear a carnelian?

Tho who tend to be overly aggressive or prone to anger may find that wearing a carnelian intensifies these qualities and should exercise caution.

What does the carnelian mean in love?

Carnelian is believed to enhance passion, stimulate desire, and foster deep emotional connections, symbolizing love and desire.