Carnelian is a reddish-orange variety of chalcedony, a fine-grained or microcrystalline quartz that’s built up of fine layers of fibrous quartz crystals. Its red color comes from inclusions of hematite (iron oxide). India is the source of the finest carnelian, and there the stones are set in the sun to change brown tints to red. Many carnelians now sold are actually chalcedony from Brazil or Uruguay, stained with a ferrous nitrate solution. Holding the stone up to the light is the way to tell the difference. The natural stone shows a cloudy distribution of color; the colored chalcedony shows stripes.

Astrology: August birthstone, also connected with Mars and Aries
Chakra: 2nd (sacral)
Metaphysically, carnelian is a soothing stone, useful to counter grief, rage, and envy; it’s even said to ease the fear of death. It especially helpful when trying to keep calm in the midst of transitions and will strengthen a sense of self-worth. It’s also a stone connected with the imagination and creativity

One approach to stringing carnelian is to use some of the classical combinations: Egyptian necklaces often mixed carnelian beads with lapis lazuli and turquoise and sometimes a touch of amethyst. The Tibetans strung carnelian with amber and turquoise and sometimes amethyst and malachite. Carnelian also looks wonderful with jade, sodalite, many agates (especially the Botswana gray), citrine, pearls, celestite, onyx and, for a bold contrast, chrysoprase.

Color: orange-red to brown
Chemical composition: Si02 silicon dioxide
Moh’s hardness: 6 ½ - 7
Transparency: Translucent to opaque
Luster: Vitreous to waxy
Fracture: Uneven, shell-like
Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal); fibrous aggregates
Cleavage: None
Specific gravity: 2.58-2.64
Refractive index: 1.530-1.539
Dispersion: None
Pleochroism: None
Fluorescence: Blue-white
Occurrence: Brazil, India, the Malagasy Republic, Uruguay