Carnelian Jewelry

Carnelian jewelry exudes an immediate warm energy. This deep orange, sometimes blood red, sometimes golden honey, evokes the sunset, embers, and warm earth. Carnelian is a chalcedony, a variety of microcrystalline quartz, colored by the iron it contains. The higher the iron content, the more intense the red. The Egyptians called it "the stone of the setting sun" and adorned the deceased with it to protect them in the afterlife. Roman architects wore it as a signet ring because they believed it stimulated courage and decision-making. Napoleon himself wore a carnelian seal that he had brought back from his Egyptian campaign.

In lithotherapy, carnelian is a stone of vitality, creativity, and courage. It works on the sacral chakra (2nd chakra), the center of creative energy, sensuality, and joie de vivre. It is a stone that promotes movement: it stimulates motivation, helps overcome procrastination, awakens libido, and rekindles the desire to undertake new things. It is recommended for artists lacking inspiration, tired people who need an energy boost, or those who feel blocked in their creativity or intimate life.

Carnelian pairs very well with citrine (optimism and abundance), tiger's eye (confidence and protection), or red jasper (grounding and endurance). For a balance between fire and softness, the carnelian and rose quartz duo works wonderfully. For maintenance, a rinse with clear water and a few hours of recharging in the sun are sufficient. Carnelian loves the sun; it is a solar stone at heart. With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, it withstands daily wear very well.