What is a carbuncle stone and what does it look like: properties, history, magic and compatibility

Carbuncle is a type of garnet and its name means burning or shining. This rare mineral is characterized by a rich red color, and in sunlight the color changes, and the pebble resembles smoldering coal. Since ancient times, the carbuncle has served as the personification of strength, power, beauty and success. During the Middle Ages, emphasis was placed on the magical and mysterious properties of the stone; it was surrounded by an aura of mystery and hidden possibilities. Today, the gem remains popular among jewelers and collectors, but is no longer considered the lord of stones.

What is this stone? Origin story

Since garnets are clots of magma remaining on the surface of the earth, the most natural color for a carbuncle would be red. However, in nature there are many shades that differ from each other in origin and physical properties.

Thanks to its aggressive, but at the same time hypnotizing and bewitching appearance, the stone was the object of desire of human society many thousands of years ago.

Spiritual leaders endowed it with incredible power and properties to influence a person’s character, magicians used it in particularly complex ritual actions, and monarchs decorated their crowns and weapons with it.

In Ancient Rus', the carbuncle was one of the main religious decorations. It towered above the heads of kings, crowning their crowns, and adorned religious attributes of power and especially valuable luxury items.

According to the beliefs of that time, the stone made its owner invulnerable to evil intent, both physically and spiritually.

In the myths of Ancient Greece, the carbuncle languished in the forehead of the insidious Echidna, whose powers were powered by the glow emitted by the stone.

The beautiful snake maiden never parted with him day or night. The only time the carbuncle was left unattended was when she was swimming in the ocean waters.

In her sweet speeches, the snake promised to reveal the secrets of the earth and sky, to bestow untold riches on the one who dared to take the stone left on the shore. But not a single profit-seeking representative of the human race was able to take possession of the great jewel.

Medieval legends describe the carbuncle as an obligatory companion of terrifying dragons. According to this information, the mineral was one with the head of this fabulous, powerful animal and it could only be extracted by separating the head from the body.

Bloodthirsty dragons fed their irrepressible rage from the pulsating carbuncle and carefully guarded their treasure, because the loss of the stone meant the end of life.

Varieties and colors

Based on the name, the main color of this stone is red, nothing surprising. This stone was originally found in the Ural Mountains and Yakutia. These monochrome, solid-colored stones come in the color of red wine, and sometimes you can find yellow-red specimens.

In fact, garnets are frozen clots of magma that have broken out to the surface, and, therefore, they have exactly this color - the magma is also red. But nature continues to surprise us, giving us the blue carbuncle. It is a garnet, the physical properties of which are different from those of red. Sometimes the carbuncle is even black.

There is also Czech pyrope, a type of carbuncle, which is a gemstone with a high degree of transparency and light refraction. The size does not differ from other subspecies. Its semi-precious analogue is almandine.

Physical properties

The chemical composition of the mineral contains calcium, iron, as well as manganese and magnesium.

The presence of these elements explains its physical properties:

• the most common crystal shape is twelve-sided;
• hardness values ​​are from 6.5 to 7.5 units on the Mohs scale, and density is 4 g/cm³, which explains the high impact strength and strong immunity to scratches;
• The transparency of the stone varies from completely transparent to very dark, almost black, color;
• The shine of the stone is very pronounced. According to this indicator, the carbuncle can be compared to a diamond. The abundance of edges refracts the incident light many times over, which is so valued in the world of jewelers;
• During friction, the mineral becomes highly electrified and creates a charge of electricity. This property is widely used in instrument making.

Place of Birth

The deposits of Burma are very rich in carbuncles of the highest quality. The exceptional properties of this mineral include its interesting color change, which depends on the level of illumination.

Blue carbuncles, mined in Tanzania and Sri Lanka, are also very variable and unstable in their shades.

If you look at them indoors, they will be purple in color, but when you take them out into sunlight, the purple will immediately change to a sea greenish color.

Carbuncles of Russian origin are orange and burgundy in color. They are a by-product of diamond mining, as they often lie in the depths of the earth nearby.

Magic properties

The most magically powerful is the red version of the stone. For its resemblance to the color of blood, most sorcerers of antiquity revered it, using it as a powerful amulet and a way to strengthen their magic.

The carbuncle was credited with such abilities as:

1. Possession of cosmic creative energy. The fact is that this stone seems to have been specially created by nature to restore order in the world. Its energy brings only positive results; with its help, any harmful actions and rituals are excluded.
2. Easy opening of the veil of the future. Soothsayers from all countries used a carbuncle in the shape of a faceted ball to make particularly accurate predictions. It was believed that he bestows clarity of thought and indicates the only correct decision.
3. Strengthening such character qualities as determination, fearlessness, willpower. Since ancient times, the stone was an amulet of great warriors and their kings, as it was intended to protect against death during war. The one who wore the mineral on his body showed remarkable strength and courage in battle, moving easily and devilishly quickly. He also served as moral support in difficult situations: warriors and sailors in difficulty asked their talisman for help, and he instilled in them faith in the future, gave them vigor and optimism.
4. Impact on people. Only a decent, open-hearted person could use this property. Carbuncle increases the communication abilities of its owner, helps him acquire the necessary connections, make strong friendships and achieve his goals. However, this is done exclusively for peaceful and good purposes - the mineral rejects vile, insidious people, and can get lost or even crumble in the hands of a scoundrel.

Nowadays, the talisman does not lose the described properties. It is used as an amulet by lovers or married couples, since it serves as a powerful source of attraction for love and enhances sexual desire.

If you are lucky enough to find a carbuncle in the shape of a heart, know that it will serve as an excellent amulet for marriage and family, and will protect relationships in separation.

Under the protection of the stone are such love areas as smoothing out conflicts, strengthening understanding and trust between spouses, maintaining fidelity and tenderness between young lovers, truthfulness in words and deeds.

The stone is also good for people who pay great attention to self-development. Any of the varieties bestows oratory skills, attracts people to you, reveals friendliness and tolerance.

The mineral will help you discover traits in yourself that were previously hidden deep inside, and will give you inner strength and energy to act decisively every day.

If a difficult life period is on the horizon, fortune tellers advise getting a small carbuncle assistant. Then it will be much easier to overcome any difficulties.

Anyone who owns a carbuncle can easily recognize the vile intentions of others; the stone protects against false speech and reveals the true face of an enemy. Since this mineral is identified with the shed blood of Christ, its strength is quite sufficient to repel any attacks of the devil and his servants.

How to wear ruby ​​jewelry correctly?

Generally accepted etiquette standards and advice from experienced stylists state:

• Do not wear more than two items encrusted with red gems at the same time. They are so self-sufficient that they can cause the effect of satiety.
• Always clean the insert thoroughly before going out into the world - the energy of the stone requires special attention to hygiene.
• Experts in esotericism do not advise wearing rubies together with silver items - the best setting for it would be exclusively 585 gold.
• Wear ruby ​​jewelry on your hands more often. It is believed that it is through the fingers or hands that the most powerful energy hidden inside corundum is transmitted.

Combining a ruby ​​with other stones is much easier than some precious gems, because the soft crimson hue may well become the highlight of a jewelry set. Emerald is considered complimentary, as it emphasizes the warmth of the red spectrum and contrasts quite brightly with the insert. You need to be careful with sapphires so as not to outshine the deep blue of the related crystal, but diamonds are appropriate for any design.

Medicinal properties

Blue carbuncle

Even ancient Roman healers noted the ability of a precious amulet to protect a woman from dangerous childbirth, relieving acute pain and protecting the baby from fatal diseases. Girls preparing for motherhood and women in labor wore a bracelet or pendant with this stone and firmly believed that it would protect against any possible misfortune.

Now carbuncle helps women who are planning to conceive a child, but cannot do so. For any difficulties in women's sexual health, the mineral will come to the rescue.

For psycho-emotional disorders, periodic wearing of the stone under the body is recommended.

Close contact with it strengthens the psyche, adds activity to the brain and nerve endings, increases joy and love for life.

But constant wearing can greatly affect an unbalanced psyche: an overexcited nervous system is a harbinger of insomnia and rapid fatigue. That is why the stone must sometimes be removed and given rest.

The following health problems can also be solved with this powerful amulet:

• skin diseases of varying severity;
• problems with the functioning of the heart and vascular system;
• disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory system;
• Difficulties with coordination and functioning of the motor system.

It helps to recover from injuries and rehabilitate after experiencing severe stress and disasters. Its property is known to stop heavy bleeding and accelerate the healing of deep wounds.

Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?

1. Aries will be able to somewhat smooth out his stubbornness and unsociability, acquire true friends and useful social connections. Representatives of this sign are recommended to wear a carbuncle as part of a ring, because Aries prefer bright and large jewelry.
2. Taurus is known for his hot temper and bad temper, which cannot please others. If it is in your interests to change for the better, choose a blue talisman for self-control and managing your own emotions.
3. Gemini is less susceptible to the influence of this mineral; the energy of this sign and the carbuncle practically do not overlap. Help will not be provided to Gemini, nor will any harm be caused. If you like the stone in appearance, wearing it is quite acceptable.
4. Cancer is calm and balanced, does not make hasty decisions and analyzes everything carefully. Contact with a carbuncle, and especially wearing it constantly, can significantly affect your character, making you nervous and overly excitable. The stars recommend refraining from purchasing jewelry with this mineral.
5. Leo will reveal his best sides and will be able to be more tolerant of the fact that the people around him are not at all ideal. In terms of color, orange or yellowish options are most suitable for the royal representatives of the Zodiac.
6. Virgo may well use the stone as needed. Possessing well-developed intuition, she can easily determine for herself the moment when outside help is needed. During this period, you need to bring the amulet closer to you. The rest of the time it is better to leave him at home.
7. Libra must decide whether carbuncle is right for them or not already in their first meeting. Based on their subjective feelings of comfort or discomfort when wearing a stone, you need to choose the color and size. If for some reason the stone does not satisfy the capricious Libra, bad consequences are possible in the future.
8. Scorpio is the true owner of the carbuncle. The stone and the sign need each other's company. The indomitable energy of Scorpio requires direction in a peaceful direction, and the amulet receives a caring owner, whose bright appearance once again emphasizes the luxury of the stone.
9. Sagittarius is famous for its persistent and energetic character, great willpower and ambition. It is for him that the carbuncle will help him find a middle ground in his desire to receive all the benefits of the world.
10. Capricorn can make the carbuncle his main talisman - this is an excellent option for correctly setting priorities and quickly achieving truly important goals. The stone promotes health: physical and moral.
11. Aquarius looks at life easily and naturally; depression and mental disorders are very rare with him. Therefore, he must decide for himself whether he needs the help of such an influential patron.
12. Pisces , with their fickle and changeable disposition, cannot count on the support of a noble gem. This sign is recommended to pay attention to other stones as protectors and patrons.

Stone in literature

Carbuncle stone appeared in a large number of legends and beliefs of the Middle Ages. This mineral was mined by brave knights from the heads of dragons and presented to beautiful ladies. A knight could receive such a stone only if he killed a dragon by cutting off its head. The knight could not receive the stone from the dragon, which was defeated not by him, but by someone else. Only the hero obeyed him, but for others he was mortally dangerous. The same legends said that the stone could not be sold, only given as a gift or obtained in battle.

Ring with carbuncle

Later literary works and poems were also dedicated to the stone. In particular, the story of the famous Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The stone appeared in one of the stories about Sherlock Holmes as an item that was stolen from the countess and for which the detective was searching.

Since the carbuncle is considered a red stone, many were puzzled by which mineral was described in the novel. Some sources suggest that the blue carbuncle is nothing more than a sapphire, since the carbuncle was often called ruby, and sapphire and ruby ​​are two varieties of the same mineral. There is another interesting version. It quotes from the book, where Holmes mentions the crystalline form of carbon, thereby indicating the “diamond” origin of the mineral. The third category of devoted admirers of the detective classifies the stone as a garnet, like the red carbuncle, and explains such a high price by the rarity of the color. The last version is the most plausible also because any variety of pomegranate is often classified as carbuncles.

Who is the name suitable for?

Alla, Maria, Tamara can make a carbuncle their amulet.

Independent and delightful Alla is always in the center of attention, her energy and ease in communicating with people attracts an abundance of fans to her. But at the same time, there are people who are not at all happy about Alla’s success.

It is to protect against ill-wishers that the stone should be worn as a bracelet or necklace.

Alla’s beautiful gem and interesting appearance will go wonderfully together, and the evil thoughts of envious people will be crushed to dust at one glance at the carbuncle.

Alla's independence in decision-making and bold judgments will be fueled by the energy of the stone. It is especially recommended to pay attention to the red talisman.

If you are lucky enough to become the owner of a rare black stone, then triumphant success in all areas of life is guaranteed.

For ladies named Maria, the carbuncle will become a kind of therapy. The amulet will neutralize emerging negative thoughts and despondency, but will certainly add cheerfulness and faith in the best. He is also able to add worldly wisdom and provide the ability to think rationally to those who are prone to failure or despair in life.

Acting as a protector of the weak, the blue carbuncle will protect against cruelty from men, as well as from the moral influence of stronger characters.

Winter Marys are recommended to wear a stone in a silver frame, but representatives of the summer type are better off with a gold frame or an option without a frame at all.

The regal, graceful Tamara clearly understands what she needs for complete happiness, she always has a strategy of action and a backup plan in case of failure. She acts decisively, sometimes causing bewilderment and indignation of others with too harsh statements.

A yellow carbuncle will balance the character of its owner, tipping the scales towards moderation in everything. In her personal life, Tamara finds it difficult to decide on her desires; she usually takes a long time to choose a life partner.

For those who want to meet true love and maintain a strong family, it is better to combine carbuncle with alexandrite - this way Tamara’s shortcomings, which she stubbornly refuses to admit, will become less noticeable to others.

What names is it suitable for?

Carbuncle is a testing stone; it will test how pure a person’s thoughts are. A girl named Alla can boast of these. Alla is always bright, individual and independent. Just as she will rule over the carbuncle, so she will rule over her life, and may even influence the lives of those around her.

This stone will help Alla find her ideal platonic love and not lose heart if failures overtake her. Will help her get up from her knees in the most difficult situations. The blue carbuncle will take away from Alla that excessive cold that will somehow pester her from the external environment. It will also share the warmth that she so lacks.

Not only Alla needs such a patron. For example, Varvara does not need anyone’s patronage at all; in her case, the red carbuncle will become a reliable comrade and companion of this courageous girl. It will help her to do justice in the name of the moon and her name, to be faithful and correct shortcomings, which, alas, she rarely notices. The carbuncle will also help in Varvara’s difficult personal life. It is good to combine garnet with amethyst in her case.

Talismans and amulets from carbuncle

Esotericists and specialists in the field of magical sciences classify carbuncle as a stone with positive, good energy.

Only in rare cases does he come into conflict with his master, creating obstacles to the implementation of his plans. The stone helps responsible, friendly and conscientious people become even better, but for their envious people the energy of the amulet can become a real problem.

The gem, which originates in volcanic magma, personifies ebullient vital energy, activity, and the desire for leadership. It generously endows its owner with those qualities that he lacks, emphasizing its impact on the spiritual development of the individual.

It is worth noting that the talisman is constantly active, which is why you should carry it with you with some breaks.

In those moments when you remove your favorite stone, take care of its cleanliness and safety, and also cleanse it of negative energy under running water.

Water has the most powerful property of removing not only accumulated dust and dirt, but also unwanted aura, the abundance of which does not benefit even the stone.

History and Application

Another interesting fact is that in Rus' this mineral was the most important and important. It was sometimes called the Cape ruby ​​or the fireman.

In addition, there is a legend about this stone. Ancient Greek people came up with Echidna, who successfully survived the Olympian gods and lived on the islands. The key to her success was a jewel - that same carbuncle in her forehead that burned with a mysterious infernal flame and gave her strength. Before swimming in the ocean, the snake maiden took it out of her forehead and promised anyone who could master it, herself and the secrets of all earthly treasures. It’s sad, but Echidna strangled and ate all those who suffered.

Not only in antiquity, but also in the Middle Ages, when the carbuncle began to gain its popularity, other legends about it appeared. For example, there were often tales about dragons whose heads were decorated with this bloody stone. It was bloody because it can only be removed after the death of the lizard, and only a victorious hero could remove it. He brought fiery death to everyone else.

Carbuncle in jewelry

It is a very popular stone in jewelry. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, its noble appearance is not inferior to diamonds, and in terms of the degree of light refraction and brilliance, the carbuncle can even surpass some of them.

Secondly, making jewelry from it is very simple; the stone is well processed and goes well with the metals framing it. And thirdly, the abundance of deposits offers a sufficient amount of stones annually.

A huge number of products are made from processed stone - beads, bracelets, earrings, pendants, rings. In any form, this beautiful mineral reveals itself and attracts the eye.

Here are some tips when choosing jewelry that contains carbuncle:

1. When choosing a ring for a man, you should give preference to a stone set in silver or noble white gold. This way the product will look discreet and luxurious. It is recommended to wear it for people whose occupation involves risks to life and health. Firefighter.
2. For military personnel, doctors and other representatives of complex professions, the stone will help them notice danger in time and show restraint in difficult situations.
3. Earrings and pendants will ideally complement the wardrobe of women of any age, without distracting attention from the appearance of their owner. The fact is that this stone looks very organic with clothes of any color. With proper selection of the type of jewelry, the amulet will suit any style of clothing and age of its owner.
4. Brooches or rings with this stone are most often chosen by mature ladies. By setting them in gold, you can get a truly precious piece of jewelry that will be proudly passed on to generations and will serve as a real heirloom.

Care comes down to timely gentle cleaning with a soft cloth and a stream of water, storage in a place protected from dust.

For your favorite jewelry, it would be preferable to have a separate box (even a small one), where the amulet can gain strength during the period when it is not in use.

Stone jewelry

The stone is popular among jewelers due to its high strength. You can create many beautiful, exquisite, unique jewelry from it. Products are made of platinum, gold or silver; there may be 1 stone or several.

Carbuncle is mainly used to make rings, rings, beads, medallions, pendants, earrings, and brooches.

A men's ring made of white gold, inlaid with a red carbuncle, looks very stylish. It goes perfectly with a classic suit in both dark and light colors.

Shiny elongated earrings in a silver frame will become a small but significant detail in a lady’s appearance. Pair with an off-the-shoulder dress, a high hairstyle, and a white blouse with a stand-up collar. They will add nobility, elegance, and completeness to the image.

A gold brooch decorated with several gems in the shape of a bunch of grapes will look good on the lapel of a light jacket or blouse of an older lady.

Combines with amethyst, sapphire, emerald.

It is not recommended to combine with black agate, onyx, malachite.

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Caring for stone and products

Simple rules for caring for your stone will help it last a long time while remaining sparkling:

• the product is stored in a case;
• You need to get rid of dirt as needed, at least once a month;
• washing is carried out in warm soapy water, you can use a soft brush;
• after washing, the stone is wiped dry with a soft towel;
• Do not expose to prolonged exposure to sunlight;
• Despite the strength, you should try not to drop the product to avoid chips and unevenness on the surface.

How to distinguish from a fake?

Among the products on sale you can find specimens sold under the guise of carbuncles, but in fact they are fake.

You can recognize a natural carbuncle by its uneven color and shine. Since magma hardens unevenly, the structure of the stone is slightly different in the middle and at the edges.

The difference in properties does not harm the noble decoration at all, but, on the contrary, serves as a highlight and proof of the truth of natural origin.

A stone created artificially will be perfectly painted, its shine will also be even and the same at every point. At first glance, it looks almost the same as a carbuncle of natural origin, but knowing all the subtleties, it is easy to notice the differences.

The extracted carbuncles are predominantly small in size, so pay attention to the products offered in jewelry stores. It is necessary to compare the size of the stone with its price.

If the stone is real, then the price for a large specimen will be very high and there are unlikely to be buyers for such a product.

Large samples are purchased at auctions and stored in private collections or museums. That is why, before purchasing an expensive piece of jewelry, it is recommended to check all its parameters again.

When purchasing not just a mineral, but a talisman, check the authenticity of the stone most carefully, because only natural energy will provide the support we need so much.

Branches of application of carbuncle

The treatment of carbuncles began in the 6th century BC.
Since the stones were very popular and famous, after trade routes opened, for example, the Egyptians paid for stone samples by volume in gold. Indeed, carbuncle in those days was the recognized king among precious stones. Now the gem is not valued more expensively than diamonds, and accordingly it is widely used in jewelry and in collecting stones. Monarchs of all times and peoples decorated their crown, tiara, miter, scepter and swords with carbuncles to express and emphasize the power of their power, the strength and greatness of their titles. In modern jewelry, the carbuncle is used in the manufacture of beads, rings and rings, and sometimes for pendants, medallions and brooches.

What stones does it go with?

If you have chosen a carbuncle as your own amulet, then preference in jewelry should be given to it.

The stone’s own energy is so strong that it can easily interrupt the messages of weaker talismans. To avoid disagreements, it is recommended to use products with carbuncle as the only decoration option.

If necessary, combine with other stones, you can choose miniature stud earrings made of alexandrite or pearls: they have positive energy that does not contradict the forces of the carbuncle.

Combining carbuncles (especially red ones) with bright gems is unacceptable. A red pendant will look completely ridiculous in combination with a green emerald ring. Therefore, it is better to choose neutral colors (white, light yellow) for the most impressive appearance.

Cut

Carbuncle is a gemstone that requires careful preparation before being set into jewelry. The work consists of several stages:

• cutting;
• grinding;
• polishing

The most commonly used carbuncle cut is cabochon technology. In this case, one side of the gem is spherical, while the other remains flat. Such stones are used for inlaying rings, bracelets, pendants, and brooches. Also on sale are rings, earrings and other jewelry made of 925 rhodium-plated silver with stones in the form of burgundy-red carbuncles with cuts such as oval, round, pear and heart. Spinels are cut into the following shapes: oval, cushion, radiant, pear. Ruby is cut into shapes: heart, princess, marquise, etc.

Thank you for your attention!

Interesting Facts

In ancient times, the word "carbuncle" meant "red-colored gem" and was applicable to a large group of precious and semi-precious stones.

Later, almost all varieties of pomegranate were called carbuncles. Currently, the classification has changed somewhat again and this term is used in a narrower sense.

In Oscar Wilde's book The Picture of Dorian Gray, there is a mention of a medieval legend about the ability of a carbuncle to drive out a demon from a person who owns the stone.

In a modern way, this can be interpreted in such a way that the amulet makes its owner more balanced and purposeful.

Artificially synthesized garnets are actively used in various industries. Crystals for lasers, grinding wheels, abrasives, ferromagnets - this is an incomplete list of where the noble mineral garnet is used.

The largest reserves of garnet deposits according to the world classification are located on the Kola Peninsula.

Description

The color of this stone is the same - red, this light is rich and bright, rich, pleasing to the eye. This stone refracts light rays in such a special way that under them it looks like a small, red-hot ember.

Carbuncle is a blood red garnet. In fact, they are one of the finest stones of this shade. They are surpassed, perhaps, by ruby. Since ancient times, red color has been a sign of material and spiritual well-being, life and love. It is logical that the carbuncle itself characterizes these benefits.

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