Carnelian (early: cornelean) is already used in the Stone Age to make beads. Pebbles of the reddish orange gemstone might be polished by nature in rivers. People use bow drills to make holes in the beads.
Gems are also painstakingly formed and faceted by hand. With its enchanting warm glow, carnelian is a jewel of the Sun, life and divinity.
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Carnelian appears in the Wadjet crown of the Egyptian queen above, along with turquoise and other gems. Carnelian is greatly valued by the Egyptians as it holds the power of the Sun and the warmth of the soul.
Associated with sun gods Ra or Atum in Egypt, and other deities throughout the known world, carnelian is a stone of Kings, Queens and the nobility, but also of the people. Use of carnelian in jewelry, talismans and tools is not determined by class.
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The red-orange stone is popular for making wax seals, as wax doesn't stick to carnelian. In some cultures the stone is conisdered to have inner fire and to deflect negative or unwanted energy.
The Egyptian scarab symbol is a widespread object of protection in ancient Egypt. Scarab amulets and decorations are made of gems such as carnelian, and unique Egyptian blue faience. A mine producing carnelian operates in the south of Egypt. Carnelian is also an important trade item along with other gemstones such as turquoise, amber and lapis lazuli.
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A type of chalcedony, carnelian gets its color from iron oxide inclusions. The stone can range from opaque to translucent and pale orange yellow to deep red. It's greatly valued for its beauty and spiritual sensitivity.
A similar stone, sard, may be used interchangeably with carnelian, through it's, harder, more opaque and with brown-red tones. Sard is often the choice of the ancients for making stamp, ring and cylinder seals due its hardness and resistance to wear.
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In healing the gem carnelian connects with the lower chakras. It relates to stability, grounding, creativity and self-confidence. Carnelian formations occur in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Basalt stone harbor the largest carnelian gems, with the purest reds.
Beads of carnelian have been found in Greece from a Neolithic source, indicating early trade. Later, carnelian trends during the Greco-Roman era.
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Carnelian is regarded as a semi-precious stone today, but in ancient times this striking stone is among the most valued of gems. It's often found in grave burials and in the tombs of Egyptian pharoahs such as Tutankhamun.
The ancient Egyptians may have had more local sources but only one mine is mentioned. In the metal ages BCE, India is a major supplier of carnelian. Another producer is the Arabian Peninsula, to the northeast and southeast.
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Not all mines of ancient times are still operating. Today, producers of carnelian include Yanacodo (Peru); Ratnapura (Sri Lanka); and Thailand. Carnelian has been found in Indonesia, Brazil, India, Russia (Siberia), and Germany.
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