Gemstones: Carnelian

Carnelian chips & beads (and a ceramic tile)

Carnelian is a variety of chalcedony: a glossy translucent reddish-orange gemstone. It might have a pure colour, or you can find it slightly banded.

It has been used for jewelry for many millenniums now: Egyptians, Romans and Greeks had carved jewelry and accessories from it over 3,500 years ago. Back then it was a gemstone for nobility, showing the owner's high class status. Today it is mined mostly in Brazil, Uruguay, and India. Sometimes it can be heat-treated to enhance its colours.

Probably due to its colour it was thought to calm the temper, and even give its wearer courage in battle. It is even said to give a sense of humour - now that's a stone after my soul!

With fall already here (and winter on its way) Carnelian seems the perfect stone to use for an autumn piece: its red-brown-orange shades are warming the spirit and its lustre is soft and delicate.

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