All about carnelian

Many of us have heard of such an extraordinary mineral as carnelian. He is able to have a healing effect on the body, to heal both mental and physical wounds. In this article, you will get acquainted with all the available information about this extraordinary stone, with its magical and healing properties, as well as its physical composition.

Carnelian, like its ancestor, chalcedony, appears as a result of post-volcanic hydrothermal processes in lava flows. It is believed that the name of this mineral came into our language thanks to the name of the majestic ancient city of Sarda (or Sardis, according to biblical records), which was the capital of Lydia. It was there that this mineral was discovered back in the antiquity, judging by the ancient records and finds.

At first, carnelian was used exclusively as a material for the manufacture of tools: archaeologists have discovered hoes and improvised means with carnelian crystals, which date back to the 8th century BC.

Only later, after several centuries, this mineral began to be actively used in the creation of jewelry, amulets and amulets. The beauty and medicinal properties of carnelian soon became known in many other countries. There was a time when carnelian tiaras, bracelets and necklaces were much more expensive than previously known jewelry. In the 4th century BC, this stone was comparable in value to diamond, pearl and emerald.

Famous historical figures who wore carnelian are Cleopatra (half of her ornaments and decoration of rooms consisted of carnelian) and Tamerlane (elements of carnelian were present in his belt and clothes). Even in the territory of modern Russia, this stone was popular - it was called "kadnos" or "smudge", and was used for cutting glasses, decorating icons and crosses.

In nature, several varieties of carnelian are known, which received their separate names due to their specific color.

• Carnelian. It looks like a red crystal, inside of which there are as if real streaks and drops of blood. The name comes from the Latin language, where the word cornus literally means "dogwood berry" (dogwood is a well-known red medicinal berry).

• Classic carnelian. It has an original orange-peach or orange-red color. Of all the varieties, it is the most common.

• Lincurius. A variety of yellowish and lemon-colored carnelian.

• Sarder. It has crystals of a deep red or dark color, sometimes brown and chestnut shades are found.

• Sardonyx. A variety of carnelian with characteristic horizontal white belt lines along the entire mineral. Stripes can separate several similar shades in a stone, or serve as a border for several contrasting colors. Stripes are available in white, brown, or black.

By its structure, carnelian is an ordinary chalcedony, that is, layered quartz of volcanic origin. The chemical formula of such minerals looks very simple - SiO2. Chalcedony themselves can vary significantly in color: minerals are known to be black, white (light), blue, and even blue.

The most popular carnelian color is red-orange or orange-yellow, this shade was formed due to the content of a large amount of Fe2O3 in the mineral. Almost all stones have an exceptionally layered uneven structure, which is remarkably visible, if not in appearance, then in a cross section. The most valuable chalcedony is the one-color model, it is the least common and is used to make elite jewelry.

And now it's worth dealing with a detailed description of the physical and chemical properties of carnelian.

• Belongs to the chalcedony family.
• At least 90% of the composition of the mineral is silicon dioxide or SiO2.
• The most common inclusions are ferric hydroxides.
• Common colors and shades: black, green, blue, red, orange, yellow, honey, chestnut, brown, brown.
• By its structure, rough stone is rather fragile. Average density - no more than 2.6 grams / cm³.
• Fracture of the conchoidal type.
• Natural stones lack luster, there is a slight luster if the stone is polished and processed.
• The internal structure is matte, almost opaque.
• Cleavage is absent.
• Hardness on the Mohs scale - from 6 to 7 points.
• Resistant to acidic compounds.

The most famous deposits of carnelian are found in India, Brazil, Uruguay, Egypt, Germany, Mongolia and Ukraine. Many of these minerals, like amber, are carried ashore in waves.

If we talk about the deposits of these minerals in the CIS countries, then in abundance stones are brought from the Crimea - there they are mined on the territory of the Karadag volcanic massif. There are also carnelian deposits in Eastern Siberia (the best jewelry carnelian in Russia is mined there), in the Primorsky Territory, in Chukotka, in Buryatia and Yakutia.

Many semi-precious stones have medicinal and magical properties, however, only a small number of these stones are officially able to help people. Carnelian is one of these minerals. Below you can familiarize yourself with the healing and mystical properties of this stone.

The healing properties of this stone were known several thousand years ago. In ancient Egypt, this mineral, ground into powder and mixed with wine, was used as a tonic and to treat headaches and toothaches. The healing properties of the stone can be found in the works of Avicenna and Biruni.

To understand the significance of carnelian already in modern medicine, it is worth remembering the existence of such a treatment as carnelian therapy. Everything is explained by the fact that carnelian emits weak radioactive waves, which, with the right doses and correct use, can cure some diseases. In short, such radiation restores cells, regenerates old tissues, promotes rapid healing of wounds, edema, and improves the patient's condition as a whole.

Most often, carnelian treatment is used for the following diseases and pathologies:

• gangrene;
• trophic ulcers;
• abscesses;
• skin diseases: abscesses, acne, acne;
• anemia;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
• kidney problems;
• infertility;
• impotence;
• thyroid problems;
• diseases of ODA and disorders of the vestibular apparatus;
• cancers;
• endocrine pathologies;
• sepsis.

At home, carnelian is advised to be used for chronic pain in different parts of the body: injuries, chronic fatigue, overwork. In this case, pre-heated stones are applied to specific parts of the body. It is believed that stones placed on the eyelids and eyes can relieve fatigue, migraines, and even restore visual function.

Also, the mineral is used in the processes of regulating the work of the whole body, especially for weakened patients: women after pregnancy, children, and other patients after protracted illnesses.

Despite all the beneficial properties of carnelian, they should be treated on their own only with the permission of a qualified doctor. Such treatment is considered traditional only in a narrow circle of modern clinics, and therefore it will be rather difficult to find such specialists.

Healers and astrologers are convinced that carnelian fully reveals its potential in the field of love. He liberates people who are too strict and squeezed, opening their hearts to the whole world. For initially romantic natures, he is a kind of amulet that protects against betrayal, betrayal and intrigues.

This mineral is considered the most powerful family stoneIt is not for nothing that brides are often presented with bracelets and necklaces that contain carnelian: he acts as a kind of bodyguard who will try with all his might to maintain mutual respect, patience and love in marriage. Figures, crafts and other interior elements of carnelian are advised to be placed in the bedroom of a married couple: it will not allow passions and desires to subside.

As for the other, non-love properties of carnelian, orange chalcedony is able to protect its owner from the destructive effects of natural disasters: hail, rainstorms, thunderstorms, even earthquakes. The stone gives travelers caution on the way, protects from exhaustion, injury and mutilation. Red or brown carnelians are real detectors of ill-wishers and enemies. These stones are especially useful for novice lawyers: they will give more confidence to statements, make speech more logical and reasonable.

Another useful magical property of carnelian is its calming and pacifying effect. When you have carnelian on you, you are much less likely to flare up, come into conflict or quarrel with loved ones, friends and colleagues. This stone will be especially useful for people who are in contact with people most of the time and are burdened with great responsibility.

As already mentioned, carnelian helps many people to reveal their hidden talents and natural abilities. He is not able to give a person any specific qualities, he only directs a person along the path of their realization. There are cases when people, not endowed with any talents for many years, suddenly began to sing or draw, having recently bought just a carnelian.

If your mineral is cloudy or blackened, immediately wash it or just rinse it under running water and then wipe it. Dirty carnelian may not only lack useful properties, but also be dangerous to humans. Do not be surprised that the promised magical properties of the stone do not come true. This may depend on your character (carnelian has a weak influence on initially strong personalities), the purity of the stone. Or you may have bought a fake mineral specimen.

Each mineral that has magical or healing properties is supportive of people with a certain character and mindset.

The elements that have a beneficial effect on the properties of the stone are Water and Earth. As for the benevolence of the planets, then Mercury and the Sun act as patrons here. It is believed that carnelian is most combined with the following signs of the zodiac: Taurus, Leo, Virgo, Aries and Gemini. In addition, this mineral is great for creative individuals: it gives them inspiration, reveals talents, and admonishes them to make new discoveries and accomplishments. The effect of this mineral together with other stones is especially noticeable: rose quartz, lapis lazuli or agate.

It is worth understanding the influence of the stone on certain signs of the zodiac.

• Taurus. Carnelian has a calming and pacifying effect on this sign, helps to accept someone else's point of view, prevents anger and aggression. Moreover, carnelian fills Taurus with the vital energy that is so necessary for them. It is believed that carnelian is best worn by Taurus who are looking for a pair.

• Cancers. Varieties of light-colored carnelian (ivory) sharpen the natural intuition of crayfish, develop logical thinking and make it easy to get out of even difficult disputes as a winner. This property is best realized in leaders and leaders. As for carnelian of other colors, especially darker ones, Cancers should not wear them - they can provoke irritation.

• Twins... The stone gives this sign of motivation in the fulfillment of their daily duties, motivates the development of creative abilities. Carnelian fosters patience, endurance, and teaches to find joy and pleasure even in everyday affairs and worries.

• Lions. Here the carnelian performs an organizing and loving function. It allows you to correctly distribute your income and expenses, clearly plan your daily routine to create the most optimal option. In addition, he will help Leo find a permanent and reliable partner, which can be difficult for Leo to achieve alone.

• Virgin... The mineral helps this sign to cope with complex intellectual tasks, improves intuition in relation to other people. Here, the stone should be worn together with silver or platinum in a setting - such a tandem will allow the owner of the stone to cope with envious people and rivals.

• Scales. Carnelian is simply necessary for this zodiac sign as a support mechanism in decision-making. Insecure and impulsive Libras often face difficult life choices, which carnelian helps to cope with.

• Aries. Here, the carnelian passes the energy of the Sun itself through itself, which allows Aries to maintain a great mood, find inspiration even in everyday things and not pay attention to failures.

• Sagittarius. This mineral here acts as a friend who will listen and support in a difficult life situation. This is especially true of the tolerance of mental wounds and the experience of painful separation from a partner, relatives or friends.

• Capricorns... For self-confident, strict and consistent Capricorns, carnelian can only help with self-confidence. Still, Capricorns, like all other signs, often need guidance and help. This stone especially helps Capricorns, who are engaged in creative activities: it reveals their talents, allows them to be liberated and forget about their protective barriers.

• Aquarians. For talented and unstoppable Aquarius, who rarely follow what is happening around, carnelian gives more consistency and discernment. He helps Aquarius keep track of their circle of friends and immediately recognizes traitors, envious people and enemies. Carnelian with green and emerald hues will have the greatest strength here.

• Fishes. This is not to say that for this sign, carnelian performs any miraculous tasks. The effect of pearls will be most effective for Pisces, while the rest of the minerals look great just as jewelry.

Despite the above, carnelian can manifest itself in absolutely any signs of the zodiac. It is not advised to wear this stone only to Scorpios: it can give this sign of excessive activity and mania for improvement, which can lead to aggression, dissatisfaction and anger.

If we talk about the general qualities of carnelian, then it motivates people to think about their actions, gives confidence in their actions, rewards creative people with the most valuable gift - inspiration.

Carnelian should be worn exactly in the place where you want to have a healing effect. Women usually prefer bracelets, beads and pendants, carnelian hairpins. Men prefer rings, belts, cufflinks. If you wear rings with carnelian on your hand, then you should choose only the middle fingers, not the ring fingers.

It is not advised to wear carnelian together with malachite and beryl, these stones overlap all the magical and medicinal properties of carnelian and endow it with the same abilities as an ordinary street stone - none.

Carnelian, like all other chalcedony, does not need any painstaking care.

It is worth considering the main theses that you should be guided by when you want to buy and store carnelian jewelry.

• The best place to store a stone or jewelry made of it will be fabric bags, where the stone will be protected from the external environment and not subject to physical stress.It is not advised to put carnelian in boxes with other stones - some of the minerals, placed together, can create an unfavorable emotional field that will affect the owner of the stones. In addition, in such boxes, stones very quickly lose their appearance due to the fact that they constantly rub and hit against each other.
• The mineral must always be kept clean and free of dust and dirt. To clean the carnelian, use flannel rags or microfiber sponges, you can take ordinary cotton wool. For cleaning purposes, it is best to use regular soap or a natural soap solution.
• You should not wear jewelry made of carnelian and other chalcedony during the chemical treatment of rooms and cleaning the entire apartment. Harmful chemicals affect the texture of the stone, making it cloudy, rough and fragile.
• It is believed that carnelian, which draws its energy from Mercury and the Sun, needs to be charged in direct sunlight for several hours a day. It is not worth leaving for a longer time, otherwise your pebble may simply lose its color.
• Try not to drop stones on the ground. Carnelian seems to be dense and strong, however, with the necessary physical impact, this mineral can be very fragile.
• Some experts consider carnelian to be too active and emotional stone to be worn continuously as a decoration. Try to give the stone a rest away from your body and replace it with other minerals.
• Remember that even a small pebble of carnelian contains a huge amount of energy. You should not hang dozens of carnelian jewelry on yourself - there is a great chance that you will become not just active or smart, but irritable and cynical. In addition to this, the more carnelian jewelry you wear, the more difficult it will be to care for them. And even one unpeeled carnelian in a chain or bracelet can lead to a bad mood.

Modern technologies make it possible to forge any minerals and precious stones with extremely high quality. Sometimes, to identify an artificial stone, you need to call a real specialist in jewelry and mineralogy.

If we are talking about semiprecious stones, such as carnelian, then manufacturers rarely use any cardinal imitation methods, and therefore it will be easy to distinguish such goods from real minerals.

• Carnelian is a type of chalcedony that has distinctive orange and honey hues. To obtain this color, iron nitrate is added to the fake minerals - it gives the glass specimens the coveted copper color. To understand whether it is a fake in front of you or a natural carnelian, simply rub it with an emery stone or grind it. Glass fake swatches will wear off easily, and you will find a completely different shade under the top coat.
• All chalcedony, including carnelian, even in finished form, have a matte surface with a wax coating, thanks to which these stones can be safely held in your hands and not be afraid that they will fall out. At the same time, glass counterfeits are smooth, glossy and slippery.
• If we are talking about a plastic fake, then it will be even easier to identify it. Plastics and polymers, even the toughest ones, have a low density - they can be easily scratched, and even chipped off by shavings or strips. But it is extremely difficult to leave a scratch on a natural carnelian, while it will be thin and almost invisible.
• The weight. Regardless of whether the raw model of the mineral in front of you or the ready-made carnelian, it will weigh quite a lot. Fake stones, be they wood, plastic or even glass, always weigh a lot less.
• Sound melody. Everyone knows that plastic makes a dull and indistinct knock when tapped. At the same time, natural stone, even processed, will sound loud and clear.
• Price. Carnelian, although not a precious mineral, is sometimes quite expensive as part of jewelry - from $ 30 or more.Individual small stones (from 5 to 10 grams) are rarely more than 5-6 dollars.

For information on the healing properties of carnelian, see the next video.