Carnelian is formed within ancient volcanic lava. Hot molten magma rises to earths surface begins to cool. As the soft, warm molten rock hardens, bubbles and cavities form. The magma hardens into rock leaving little pockets of space. In these pockets liquids like silica, rich in dissolved quartz molecules, flows and settles. Over time these liquids become crystals, the impurities determining what forms, in the case of carnelian, iron is present. Harder than the surrounding rock, the carnelian crystal waits patiently while wind, rain and ice slowly erode everything else. The Carnelian then gets washed away down streams and creeks to sit on river beds waiting to be collected by miners millions of years later.

Artifacts using carnelian have been dated back to the Bronze Age (circa 1800 BC) on the island of Crete. Carnelian was also favoured by Ancient Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used for intaglios in signet rings and as body ornaments. Given its long history, and beautiful reddish-orange hue it often appears in antique jewellery.

This sunshine coloured gemstone stimulates the Sacral Chakra, controlling the flow of energy in the body. Its said to bring its wearer stability and helps to  clarify and enhance your connection to your intuition. 

Carnelian was believed in ancient times to eliminate hatred and jealousy and provide  protection both for the living and those on the journey to their afterlife ✨🪦

The zodiac birthstone for Virgo, said to aid in public speaking, improve confidence & reduce fatigue ♍️

A semi hard gemstone (7 hardness on the mohs scale), Carnelian is a member of the quartz chalcedony family, consisting of silicon dioxide. These beautiful stones range in hue from from red-orange to brownish-orange. 

We love working with Carnelian, especially when set in buttery yellow gold. Contact us to see our available stones for a custom order.