Carnelian Jewelry
The orange to red variety of chalcedony. One of the oldest gemstones used by humans
Unearthed Gemstones Carnelian Jewelry
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Hardness
6.5 - 7 (Durable): Great for daily wear.
Toughness
Good (Generally resistant to chipping under normal wear)
Mineral Family
Quartz (Chalcedony)
Transparency
Translucent
Crystal System
Trigonal
Lustre
Waxy
What Is Carnelian?
Carnelian is the orange to reddish variety of chalcedony, coloured by iron oxide. It is one of humanity's oldest gems: the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all carved it into signet rings and seals, partly because hot wax does not stick to it. Its warm colour ranges from soft apricot to deep brownish red. Most carnelian today comes from India, where stones have traditionally been sun-warmed or gently heated to deepen the orange. That heating is an ancient, accepted practice, not a trick.
Is Carnelian Durable Enough for Everyday Jewelry?
With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 and no cleavage, carnelian is a genuinely tough everyday stone. It works in rings, beads, pendants and carvings, and it polishes to a lovely glassy glow.
How to Care for Carnelian Jewelry
Care could not be easier: just warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.
How to Tell If Carnelian Is Real
Some banded agate is dyed to imitate carnelian, and dyed material often shows fine stripes when held to the light, while natural carnelian looks cloudier and more even. We only stock the genuine stone.
Gemstones Similar to Carnelian
Fellow chalcedonies, with mookaite sharing carnelian's warm sunset colours.
