Carnelian is the stone of lovers: what other properties does it have?

Carnelian is a mineral that has been called the “frozen sunset.” Legends were made about the origin and magical properties of the stone. Poets admired him. In fact, the gem is simply a variety of volcanic chalcedony, but its rich, saturated color is captivating and eye-catching.

Carnelian
(blood agate)
is one of the most famous varieties
of chalcedony
.
How its name appeared is not known for certain; there is a legend that it was called the heart stone due to its red shades and specific healing properties. This mineral has been known to mankind for a long time, and in ancient times it was valued no less than diamond
. Now it is considered an ornamental product and its price has dropped significantly.

Chemical composition: SiO2

Carnelian structure

consists of thin sheets
of quartz
mixed with various iron compounds, which is why stripes can be seen inside the stone, but usually it appears monochromatic.

Under the name " carnelian"

“The stone is known in Russia; in the West it has several names.
The most famous and widespread is carnelian
, the stone received this name because of its orange-red color, it is translated as “flesh”.
Dark brown-red gems are called sarders
, after the ancient city of Sardis, where its mining first began.
Light colored specimens in orange and yellow tones are called lincuria
, a word meaning "lynx".
Due to the color and texture of the stone, it is called blood agate
and stone of the sun.

Origin of the stone

Carnelian stone is a product of a volcanic eruption. The gem is formed in “hellish” conditions, when lava boils in the mouth of a fiery mountain, ready to pour out. There it receives a “fiery” color and chemical structure.

There are several hypotheses about what the name of the mineral means. The most common one is that it comes from the Greek word “Sardolitos”. Translated into Russian - “stone from Sardis”. Sardis was the name of the city where many precious stones were mined in ancient times. The ancient Greeks believed that the gem could attract good luck.

Archaeologists discovered carnelian products during excavations at Paleolithic sites. That is, we can safely say that people have known the stone for at least 13 thousand years. Primitive people made weapons and tools for work from it. At a later time, the gem became a material for jewelry, amulets, magic items, and monastic rosaries.

It was already said in ancient times that the stone allows you to communicate with spirits and develop magical abilities. People have also noticed that its color resembles more than just a sunset—carnelian looks like a heart. Therefore, it was believed that it was able to improve health and make a person happy.

Other carnelian products

The gem is used not only to create jewelry. The excellent characteristics of the stone allow you to create other products from it:

• boxes and snuff boxes;
• candlesticks;
• figurines;
• cameos;
• vases;
• stationery;
• designer small trees;
• various figures.

These items are usually not large, but have indescribable beauty and style. In any case, they will decorate the interior, and some of them will delight you with functionality.

Where is carnelian mined?

The gem is mined almost everywhere where there are extinct volcanoes. It often happens that unprocessed carnelian is carried by the sea, washed ashore during storms. These rocks are traces of ancient eruptions from a time when the seabed was dry land, millions of years ago.

Among the countries that supply the market with the mineral in industrial quantities are:

• in South Asia - India;
• in Latin America - Brazil, Uruguay, Chile;
• in Africa - Egypt;
• in Europe - Ukraine, Germany;
• in Central Asia - Mongolia, Kazakhstan.

Crimean minerals deserve special attention. They are called Karadag carnelian, because it is on the beaches in the area of ​​Mount Karadag that such stones are most often washed up by the sea. These are red gems with very strong therapeutic properties. They can be distinguished by their color and pattern, which resembles cumulus clouds.

Jewelry carnelian, which is highly valued by collectors and craftsmen, is mined in Siberia. The richest deposits are in the Amur region, on the banks of the Zeya River. Primorsky Krai, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), and Buryatia also supply gems, but mainly to the domestic Russian market.

Application and care of the mineral

In ancient times, the gem was considered precious, but today its price is not too high. At the same time, the properties of carnelian stone make it convenient for processing, so it is a very popular ornamental material. To make the products look more beautiful, the mineral is polished before starting work.

The price of one bead is about fifty rubles, but the rarest varieties will cost more. The most common jewelry made from carnelian are rings, bracelets, beads, and earrings. They also make boxes, vases, and figurines from it.

The gem is unpretentious and durable. However, in order for your jewelry to last longer and retain its magical and healing properties, it is better to take care of it. Protect your talisman from bumps and falls, clean it regularly. There are four simple rules for using the mineral:

• — Keep the gem wrapped in a soft cloth, separate from other stones.
• — Wash only in soapy water, without using chemicals. After washing, dry the mineral with a soft cloth.
• — To prevent aggressive cleaning liquids from damaging your treasure, remove the stone when washing dishes, doing laundry, or cleaning.
• — You can recharge the crystal with energy by leaving it in the sun for half an hour on a clear day. It is not recommended to keep it in the light for too long.

If you follow these simple rules, the mineral will become your faithful friend for many years. Among inexpensive jewelry, carnelian jewelry is one of the most powerful in terms of magic. If you plan to use them specifically for medicinal or protective purposes, then you should remember a few more rules.

• For a woman, it is best to choose beads or a bracelet, and for a man, a ring with carnelian.

• Earrings are suitable for a young unmarried girl.
• There is no need to wear the mineral on your ring finger. It is best to wear it on the index and middle fingers.
• The stone is not friendly with some other jewelry, for example, beryl and malachite. Therefore, you need to keep such gems as far away from each other as possible and not wear them at the same time.

The last rule on how to wear carnelian: it is best to choose a mineral in a gold frame. The fact is that some specimens are radioactive. There is no need to be alarmed; this radiation is even less than that of a mobile phone. But if you want to protect yourself, then remember that gold has the best protective properties.

Color and varieties of carnelian

The color of carnelian depends on the composition of the lava erupted by the volcano. Then the gem lies for a long time under the sun's rays, or is warmed up by the internal heat of the Earth. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation can change the shade beyond recognition. Polishing gives the mineral a waxy or glossy shine. Rich, orange-red stones are most prized.

Geologists and jewelers distinguish several types of mineral:

1. Carnelian, bright red carnelian, similar in color to blood. It is associated with the masculine principle. The Arabs believe that this gem was the only jewelry worn by the Prophet Muhammad. The founder of Islam called the stone the most powerful amulet against poverty and want. In Christian countries, religious objects are made from this type of chalcedony.
2. Sarder is a “chestnut”, dark brown color gem. He has the most powerful energy, but also the most dangerous. Completely black specimens are extremely rare.
3. Light carnelian - unlike carnelian, is considered a feminine stone. It is a bright orange or yellow mineral, sometimes with a pink tint. It is to this class that fiery red gems belong, for which jewelers give the highest price.
4. Sardonyx is chalcedony, streaked with straight stripes parallel to each other. The color of the main mineral can be any; the stripes are usually white.

How to distinguish carnelian from a fake

There are quite a lot of deposits of the mineral on our planet, so there is no point in counterfeiting the gem en masse. In addition, the price of carnelian is low compared to other stones. Some jewelers tint their goods to make them look more noble.

However, many scammers still sell pieces of plastic or glass at the price of a gem. To determine where the natural mineral is, you need to remember what the carnelian stone looks like and what its main properties are.

1. 1. Fake glass is translucent, the surface of a genuine stone is matte.
2. 2. A natural gem is quite hard and is more difficult to scratch than plastic or glass.
3. 3. Weigh in your palm what they give you as a carnelian ring or earring. Real stone is quite heavy.
4. 4. If you knock on a mineral with something metal, it will make a ringing sound, but a piece of plastic will make a dull sound.
5. 5. Where light layers are visible in the stone, it sometimes looks completely transparent, as opposed to the matte main surface. It is very difficult to reproduce this in glass or plastic.
6. 6. If you examine a ring, bracelet, earrings or beads made of carnelian under a magnifying glass, you will see small chips, scratches, and air bubbles on the stone. Fake ones are always perfect.

It is important to remember: all the magical and healing properties of the carnelian stone are characteristic only of natural specimens. Counterfeits do not have them. Even if they are cheaper, this money will be thrown away.

Jewelry with carnelian

Carnelian is easy to process, it does not chip, and is excellently polished. This is why natural stone is loved by stone carvers who create masterpiece jewelry. Carnelian products speak of a person’s creativity; they look chic for a price that is ridiculous by jewelry standards.

Range

Designers are developing a full set of jewelry with stones - from pendants to necklaces. They use carnelian of one or several colors and combine it with other stones.

The shape of the beads is a classic sphere, regular geometry, fantasy. You can choose an option that is suitable for the office, a walk or a party. There are products with an emphasis on history or mysticism - voodoo, punk or antique necklaces, rings with suras from the Koran or sayings of the Torah.

Cut

The carnelian classic is a cabochon that maximizes the beauty of the stone. Inserts made with facets make earrings or rings look aristocratic.

Carnelian is not a diamond, so the edges are soft and slightly rounded. Faceted links of beads or bracelets break up the traditional round shapes.

Frame

A semi-precious gem in jewelry is rarely awarded gold or platinum. The precious public option is silver. Silver items decorate your holiday and business wardrobe. Cupronickel silver, rhodium-plated alloy, brass, and bronze are often used as frames.

Compatibility with other materials

The restraint of the color scheme of carnelian forces stylists to combine it with other materials in jewelry. Most often these are semi-precious stones:

• agate;
• amethyst;
• hematite;
• rhinestone;
• quartz;
• coral;
• chrysoprase;
• citrine;
• jasper.

Gems enliven the “heavy” main stone, making large bracelets or beads suitable for people of different ages and any occasion.

Carnelian jewelry in folk, ethnic or youth styles is complemented with leather or wood. These components are inexpensive and have little effect on the cost of the product.

Stylistics

The mineral is considered a favorite of creative bohemia, which helps them to be more relaxed and express their talents more clearly.

Eye-catching large jewelry looks great on clothes with red accents, making a person bolder and more attractive. This style is suitable for events that require personal creativity and a non-standard approach.

Accessories of a restrained palette and design are worn to the office - a simple bracelet and beads in one thread, earrings with a large insert. Decorations in costumes of folk, ethnic, youth, boho and similar styles are organic.

Gender factor

The color variety of the stone makes jewelry with it suitable for ladies and gentlemen.

• light yellow, tea rose colors, bright orange stones are considered feminine, muted dark tones are a masculine attribute;
• ladies have access to a full range of products, men's accessories - rings, massive bracelets, chokers, tie clips.

The mineral makes brunettes look warm. For fair-haired beauties, rich red or orange-red carnelians are suitable - they will add color while maintaining sophistication.

Healing properties of the stone

It has long been known that the mineral carnelian can have a beneficial effect on human health. Chalcedony, the color of fire and blood, was used to heal wounds and fractures, relieve fever, and reduce inflammation. Modern lithotherapists also use the gem as a remedy against a wide variety of ailments. In particular, it is used to treat:

• - urticaria, atopic dermatitis, furunculosis;
• - migraine;
• - gastritis, stomach ulcers, food poisoning, colitis;
• - stones in the kidneys and bladder;
• - neuroses, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder.

There is a separate direction of therapy when the healing properties of chalcedony are used in specific medical procedures - a pyramid of carnelian in which a person is placed. It allows:

1. 1. Make the nervous system more stable.
2. 2. Improve the body's resistance to disease.
3. 3. Normalize the state of the cardiovascular system.
4. 4. Stop the development of infectious diseases.
5. 5. Reduce tumors, heal ulcers.
6. 6. Remove kidney stones.
7. 7. Organize your menstrual cycle.

At the moment, there is no scientific explanation of exactly how the gem exerts its therapeutic effect. There is a theory that the problem is due to a small natural radiation inherent in the stone. In such quantities, radiation can be useful - it activates metabolism and triggers regeneration processes.

One way or another, the healing properties and significance of carnelian for humans still require study.

Magical properties of carnelian

The magical properties of the carnelian stone were known in ancient times. Nowadays, like hundreds of years ago, amulets, talismans and amulets are still made from it. The gem really has a lot of effects.

One of the magical effects of the gem is to attract happiness and love.

The mineral can improve personal life; it is used as an amulet of love. The energy of the stone is capable of awakening feelings in the heart of the chosen one, and this is not a love spell. Carnelian simply allows a person to see something in you that they can love.

For those who have already entered into a serious relationship or even marriage, the mineral will also help. One of the magical meanings of the stone is marital fidelity. The gem can protect you from temptation and betrayal. At the same time, it is impossible to bewitch a person wearing such a talisman. The gem also has other useful properties:

• — Carnelian for women is a talisman that helps to get pregnant.
• — Red minerals protect against damage and the evil eye.
• — The gem allows you to improve your financial situation and attract financial success.
• — The crystal can make the wearer more witty and eloquent.
• — Meditation on striped carnelian allows you to clear your mind of worries and doubts.
• — A bracelet or ring increases endurance, stamina and physical strength.
• — The gem stabilizes mood, relieves both depressing thoughts and excessive euphoria.

The mineral will help you become luckier and more successful, but it does not suit all people's horoscopes.

History of carnelian products

The term “carnelian” originated and is used in Russia and Russian-language literature. This is how the pebble was dubbed due to the shape of the heart-shaped pieces. In the West, the name “carnelian” is accepted for the mineral.

1. The mineral began to be used at the dawn of civilization (60-800 thousand years ago) as a material for tools. After 40 thousand years, they began to make amulets, talismans, and objects of worship. Then it was time for jewelry and household items.
2. The Egyptians revered carnelian, considering it the favorite decoration of the supreme goddess Isis. On household and ritual objects they carved a three-leaf clover - a symbol of the goddess.
3. In medieval Europe, jewelry with stones was worn as an amulet against black magic.

Carnelian accessories went down in history thanks to famous owners:

• pendants and a vessel for Queen Cleopatra's cosmetics;
• belt buckle for the conqueror of Asia Tamerlane;
• family seal of the last hetman of Ukraine Kirill Razumovsky;
• ring of the Prophet Muhammad with a sura from the Koran;
• gold rings of Lord Byron and Alexander Pushkin.

The great Russian poet received a ring with a red octagonal stone as a gift from Countess Ekaterina Vorontsova, considered it a talisman and constantly wore it on his index finger. Before his death, he gave it to his colleague Vasily Zhukovsky. In 1917, the ring was stolen from the Pushkin Museum and has not yet been found.