::CARNELIAN::

CARNELIAN

HEALING PROPERTIES:

Stone associated with emotional warmth, creativity, reproduction, rebirth, reincarnation and past life recall. Calms mind from fear of death and enforces belief in cycle of birth-death. Excellent motivator in matters of business and career-choices. Brings day-dreamers and absent minded professors to ground zero. Carnelian directly works on lower chakras, so it dispels arthritis, rheumatism, lower back troubles, female reproductive problems, increases fertility and cures impotence. Alleviates blood poisoning, nose bleeds, wounds, sores, spasms and all ailments related to blood; besides being a remedy for fever, neuralgia, allergies and infection.

PHYSICAL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:

Carnelian is a translucent form of the silica mineral chalcedony, which is a variety of quartz. Carnelian ranges in color from yellow or reddish-brown to a deep red. When it grades into brown it is known as Sard. When it contains bands of white, it is known as Sardonyx. Chemically, Carnelian is composed of Silicon Dioxide, SiO₂, and gets its red color from Hematite (Iron Oxide-FeO₂) impurities.

Carnelian

Chemical Formula

SiO₂

Hardness

7.00

Specific Gravity

2.60

Refractive Index

1.53 - 1.54

ORIGIN HISTORY:

Ancient Egyptian tombs are full of examples of Carnelian jewels, because of their belief in the stone's power in the afterlife. According to their system, amulets of Carnelian could prove helpful in ensuring the Ka's (the soul's) passage into the next world. In more modern times, Goethe attributed the powers of protection against evil, of continuation of hope and comfort, and of good luck. The blood-red varieties were greatly valued by the ancients, who produced beautiful engravings in carnelian and also used them for seals. Buddhists in China and India created amulets inlaid with Carnelian and other semi-precious stones, ascribing to them powers of protection and utilizing them for many rituals.

GEOGRAPHICAL DEPOSITS:

Most carnelian on the market is stained chalcedony from Brazil or Uruguay. The finest carnelian is found in India and Arabia.