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Carnelian
Alternate July Birthstone
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Scientific:
Ok, I tried to find information on carnelian, but since it is a variety of chalcedony, there wasn't a lot scientifically to be found. The name is said to be derived from the Latin word
"Carnis" which means flesh due to it's color. Carnelian i to orange, translucent to opaque chalcedony variety. The coloring agent is iron, and it can be enhanced by heating. Most carnelians today are agates that are dyed then heat treated. When held against the light, the color variety shows in stripes, while natural carnelian shows a cloudy distribution of color.
Deposits are found in Brazil, India, Australia, Russia, Madagascar, South Africa, U.S., and Uruguay.
Because of its color, carnelian can be confused as jasper. Darker and browner carnelians are usually called sard. Carnelians are used for the most part as jewelry or in arts and crafts.
Variety of: Chalcedony
Chemical Composition: SiO2 Silicon Dioxide
Hardness: 7 |
Carnelian Runes, occasionally available at Tigerblossom
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History:
Carnelians were used as early as 1500 BC as talismans and beads in Egyptian tombs.
Goethe wrote:
Carnelian is a talisman,
It brings good luck to child and man;
If resting on an onyx ground,
A sacred kiss imprint when found.
It drives away all evil things;
To thee and thine protection brings.
The name of Allah, king of kings,
If graven on this stone, indeed,
Will move to love and doughty need.
From such a gem a woman gains
Sweet hope and comfort in her pains.
The Lapidario of King Alfonso X of Spain recommended the wearing of carnelians to those who have a weak voice or are timid in speech, for the warm colored stone will give them the courage they lack so they will speak both boldly and well.
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Lore:
It has been used for centuries to stop the flow of blood. It has been suggested that this stone will stop nose bleeding.
Some believed in the old Roman times that the darker Carnelian represented males and the lighter, females.
There were many ancient beliefs associated with this stone of which many centered around protection during travels after death and against evil. It is also believed to combat bad tempers.
Carnelian has long been associated with courage and cleansing of the blood. It was believed that the stone would improve one's outlook, making the individual cheerful and expelling fears.
Throughout the East, people were afraid of the envious. They believed if you envied a person for any good thing that he had, he would lose it in a short time. So, it was supposed that by wearing a carnelian, bearing the following prayer, other people's envy would do the wearer no harm.
"In the name of God the Just, the very Just!
I implore you, O God King of the World,
God of the World, deliver us from the devil
Who tries to do harm and evil to us through
Bad people, and from the evil of the envious." |
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Metaphysical:
Carnelians, like rubies, are said to be very healing of physical wounds and blood disorders because of their red color. They are very good for the first chakra, and are thought to bring passion to the wearer. It is recommended for infertility or impotency.
Carnelians are very balancing stones; they calm those who are on hyper-driver, and they energize those who are mellow. Because of their ability to balance, carnelians are good for family areas of homes, as well as for in a bedroom where more than one child sleeps.
I have a very deep colored carnelian, probably heated, that I find to be very grounding and therefore healing. It is a little too grounding for my upper chakras sometimes, but I certainly use it for my lower chakras when the need arises. |
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