What is Carnelian? Its Uses, Properties, Color, and Worth
What is Carnelian?
Carnelian is a variety of the mineral chalcedony which contains silica and impurities of iron oxide to give it color. Carnelian is more on the translucent side when it comes to transparency and will let light through when viewing its edges.
Carnelian is formed when magma makes is way up towards the surface and quickly cools to form igneous rock much like obsidian. During cooling of the igneous rock, pockets will form which will then fill with silica material. This creates the iron oxide chalcedony we call carnelian within the voids of the igneous rock.
Carnelian Uses
Carnelian uses will include jewelry such as bracelets, rings, pendants, and necklaces. Other uses of this mineral can include cabochon specimens polished or not, for ornamental display. Carnelian is often used to carve out animals and other objects for display as well.
Some of the first uses of carnelian was for jewelry many years ago BC. Years ago carnelian was commonly used by the Romans to create seal rings. These rings would be pressed into a blob of wax put on letters and important documents. With the use of carnelian, the hot wax would not stick to it.
Very large specimens of carnelian can be carved out into what many call a “carnelian flame”. The larger carved rock will have flowing edges that mimic the look of a flame. This carved out shape mixes well with the oranges and reds you typically find with carnelian.
Carnelian meaning is something some people believe this mineral has aside from its obvious properties. They will place carnelian on themselves or in their home to achieve some sort of healing, magical properties, or powers from them.
Some carnelian beliefs can include its use to; promote health in body and mind, give courage, heal your body and soul, and have many other meanings.
Uses of carnelian in this novelty purpose are not endorsed by many. It can be seen however, that having this mineral on yourself or in your home would garner no objection from most.
Common Carnelian Properties
 | |
| Carnelian Mohs Hardness | 6 – 7 |
| Specific Gravity | 2.59 – 2.61 |
| Streak | White |
| Carnelian Fracture | Uneven, Splintery, Conchoidal |
| Carnelian Luster | Greasy, silky, dull, vitreous |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Carnelian Chemical Formula | SiO₂ |
Carnelian Color
Carnelian color can be a variety of oranges and reds to almost black in some cases. The colors that are typically observed and better known with carnelian are the oranges and reds. Often times the colors can be banded or mixed with different shades of color.
In banding variety of carnelian, you can find some very deep brownish reds and oranges. This can give some good contrast from light to dark.
You can see why many think carnelian is semi-precious gemstone is appealing to look at. With all the oranges and reds available in in this mineral, along with its ability to have a very nice shine, it would definitely catch your eye.
How Much is Carnelian Worth
Carnelian worth is very cheap and can be purchased under $1 per carat. Carnelian value will increase to over $20 per specimen and beyond as the size of the specimen increases. This mineral is fairly common and can be found in some abundance keeping this mineral value low.
Jewelry made out of carnelian will typically bring in lower prices. You will likely be paying more for the way carnelian is carved, rather than the gemstone itself. Some carnelian jewelry settings can cost thousands of USD. Using gold is highly desirable when displaying carnelian in jewelry settings and you can expect to pay largely for it.
(Image attributed to unknown wiki commons)
Necklaces with many carnelian beads can run you upwards to $100 USD. However, if you divide the amount of beads on the necklace into the price you might find yourself only paying a couple of dollars per bead.
When carnelian is cut out into a large carnelian flame, you can expect to pay based on size and color. Some can run you upwards of $100 USD, as some smaller sizes can be purchased for under $20 USD. At times the value of carnelian will be in regards to the potential history behind it. You can on occasion find one of those seal rings in gold that can easily run you $300 USD or more. Any antique or vintage carnelian carving, that has some proof of its age with it, can run up in price as well.
Identifying Carnelian
You can identify carnelian by a couple of key visual aspects. The translucency and glassy look when polished will be your major identifier for this mineral. This aspect is far different from some other similar minerals such as agate. Another way to identify carnelian will be its distinguishable red colors.
If you are interested in purchasing something carnelian, you can easily determine how to identify a fake carnelian. The main image in this article is a great visual aid. The image shows a glassy shinny look and color you should see with real carnelian when cut an polished. Smaller, one color, specimens of carnelian will be more difficult to determine if it is real or fake.
Difference Between Carnelian and Agate
The difference between carnelian and agate is carnelian will be more in the solid red, oranges, and browns, while agate will express more of a layered banding effect when it comes to its appearance. Carnelian will have a more glassy translucency while agate will not.
Many will confuse carnelian and agate because they both look very similar in color at times. Both are silica oxides and are of the mineral type chalcedony. Carnelian and agate both have a similar hardness, same streak color, and same chemical formula.
Where is Carnelian Found in The World
Carnelian can be found in the following locations throughout the world: Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and in the United States: Oregon, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Tennessee.
