Carnelian
Carnelian – agate variety
Carnelian is a translucent variety of chalcedony and a stone from the quartz group. Its name comes from the Old French word cornele, meaning “cornelian cherry”, because carnelian resembles it. Carnelians can be found in colors such as orange, pink, red, brown, or yellow-orange. Their color is due to the presence of iron-containing minerals, such as hematite and goethite. The shade of carnelians depends on the amount of iron oxide in the stone. Sometimes, slight striping can be observed in carnelian stones because the iron impurities are unevenly distributed in their structure. Thanks to the presence of iron, carnelians can be easily subjected to heat treatment, even using only sunlight, to achieve additional color variations. Upon heating, as iron oxide oxidizes, carnelians’ red hues darken. Currently, most carnelians available on the market undergo a heat treatment process. Interestingly, these stones exhibit the ability to fluoresce blue-white under ultraviolet light. Carnelian stones are mined in India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay, Japan, Madagascar, Russia, the United States, and Sri Lanka. Currently, agates subjected to heat treatment are often found on the market and sold as carnelians.
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Carnelian Stone – properties
Carnelian is a precious stone from the quartz group, a member of the chalcedony family and a type of silicate mineral quartz. This group also includes minerals such as agate, onyx, jasper, and sard. Carnelian mineral is characterized by uneven, conchoidal fracture, waxy luster, and lack of cleavage. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is 6.5-7.0, and its density is 2.6 g/cm³. Carnelians exhibit a cryptocrystalline and trigonal crystal system. They can be found in volcanic rocks and weathering zones. Carnelian, as a variety of chalcedony, forms from the overgrowth of two silicate minerals with different crystal structures: moganite and quartz. Carnelian stones are opaque, so inclusions are rarely visible. However, sometimes we may encounter fluid inclusions resembling drops, which give the stones a shiny and intense luster. Due to its appearance, carnelian is sometimes mistaken for jasper.
Carnelian Stone – application
Carnelian is highly valued by jewelers. Since ancient times, it has been used to make jewelry and ornaments. It was also once used to make small utility items such as seals or talismans – alchemists believed it prevented many diseases. Like lapis lazuli, carnelian was one of the favorite gemstones in history due to its color and ease of processing. Because carnelian is not a rare mineral, its price is relatively low. Its price depends on the size and color of the stone. In jewelry making, especially valued are clear stones with a distinct red color. They are primarily used in pendants or beads. The darker shade of carnelian looks very good both with lighter minerals such as citrine and darker ones like onyx. In our store, you will find both carnelian cabochons and faceted carnelian stones in various shapes.