Carnelian
Orange chalcedony, the signet stone of Egypt and Rome.
- Family
- Chalcedony
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs
- 6.5 to 7
- System
- Trigonal
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Science
Carnelian is translucent chalcedony coloured by iron oxide. Indian material is traditionally left in the sun for weeks to deepen the orange to red. The boundary with sard, the browner variety, is a matter of taste rather than chemistry.
- Mineral
- Chalcedony (variety)
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5 to 7
- Specific gravity
- 2.58 to 2.64
- Refractive index
- 1.530 to 1.540
- Lustre
- Waxy to vitreous
- Colours
- Orange, Red-orange, Brown
Composition
SiO₂. Made of Silicon, Oxygen, with trace Iron responsible for colour.
Origin
- IndiaGujarat, sun-darkened
- Brazil
- Uruguay
- Madagascar
- EgyptEastern Desert, historic
Filled dots are primary sources
Rarity
Common. Much orange chalcedony sold as carnelian is heated or dyed agate.
- 1 Abundant
- 2 Common
- 3 Uncommon
- 4 Rare
- 5 Exceptional
Hardness
Carnelian sits at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It will scratch glass and holds a polish in daily wear.
Energy
Associations from crystal-healing tradition, recorded here as folklore. They are not medical claims.
Chakras
- Sacral
- Root
Element
- Fire
Zodiac
- Aries
- Leo
- Virgo
Planets
- Mars
- Sun
Properties
- Vitality
- Courage
- Creativity
- Motivation
- Warmth
Lore
Egyptians called it the 'setting sun' and carved it into amulets for the dead; Tutankhamun's jewellery is full of it. Hot wax does not stick to carnelian, which made it the favoured stone for Roman signet rings.
The Prophet Muhammad is recorded as wearing a carnelian seal, and the stone remains common in Islamic rings today.
- SardThe same stone in a darker, browner shade.
- SealWax releases cleanly from carnelian, hence its use in signets.