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Roger Weller, geology instructor                                         

wellerr@cochise.edu
Quartz Family Gemstones-by Audrey LaClair
                            
                                  Carnelian
 

Carnelian is translucent and a member of the chalcedony family.  It is usually used for ornamental stone.  The color of carnelian is usually red, but can range from bright orange to reddish orange.  Carnelian will start out as brown, which is caused by iron oxide, and then is reddened by the sun or heat. 

photo by R.Weller

Carnelian is found in India, Uruguay and Brazil.  Carnelian gets it’s name from the Latin language meaning flesh, because flesh color is sometimes shown in the stone.  It is also named because of the Kornel cherry, which exhibits it’s rich red color. 

Carnelian is known for ambition and drive.  It exhibits a confidence of positive courage.  It is known to protect from negative emotions and calms fears about dying and rebirth.  It is said to cleanse kidneys and blood, increased sociability, memory, courage, happiness, as well as many others.
 

photo by R.Weller

Physical properties:

Mineral Information: Chalcedony, microcrystalline quartz group

Chemical Composition: SiO₂

Color: Flesh-red to brown-red

Hardness: 6 ½ - 7

Specific Gravity: 2.58-2.64

Refractive Index: 1.530-1.539

From (http://www.firemountaingems.com/gemstones/_carnelian.htm).

References:

http://www.gemhut.com/carneln.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnelian

http://www.jewelrymall.com/stones/carnelian.html

http://www.firemountaingems.com/gemstones/_carnelian.htm

http://www.crownjewels.com/gembook/stones/CARNELIAN.html

http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/C/CA/CARNELIAN.htm