CARNELIAN, a red variety of chalcedony, has been in great demand as jewelry and ornamentation since the fourth century BCE. Archeologists have unearthed many pieces of jewelry and decorative arts of the Ancients from the Bronze Age in Crete and Ur. Among their discoveries were carved scarabs and seal rings from the later Roman era. At another site, archeologists unearthed beautiful necklaces of carnelian and gold made in the 1400’s BCE.
Carnelian jewelry is still in great demand today by fashionable women. You can have it made into casual necklaces to wear with jeans to more formal pieces suitable for career and after five clothes.
You can find carnelian stones in colors ranging from a creamy pale brown to a dark reddish-brown. A near cousin to carnelian is Sardonyx. Sardonyx is usually striated with various shades of the carnelian mixed with creams and whites.
Found all over the world, the best carnelian is from India. When buying carnelian, make certain you are getting carnelian and not a dyed stone. A good deal of the carnelian now sold, is Brazilian agate, artificially stained to resemble the pricier Carnelian.
It is very easy to confuse a true Carnelian from other similar stones. Carnelian stones are translucent and can be distinguished from Jasper and Sard which are similar stones, but not translucent. In the East it is common to find beautiful Carnelian stones that have markings “burned” into the stone with natural vegetable dyes and heat.
Some people believe that Carnelian is a powerful stone for action. Courage, confidence, motivation, ambition, and drive are thought to be enhanced when wearing beautiful Carnelian. It is said that these strengths will encourage you to move forward toward your life goals.
