Carnelian Metaphysical Properties and Gemstone Information

Carnelian is a durable gemstone with a Mohs hardness of 7. Like agate, it is a translucent form of chalcedony, which is a cryptocrystalline variety of quartz.

Washington Carnelian Tree Of Life Pendant

Colored by iron oxide impurities, carnelian’s color ranges from red, to bright orange, burnt orange, peach and goldenrod.

Various Colors in Natural Carnelian – I collected this in Southwest Washington. Scroll Down for photos of this one backlit.

The stones in hues of yellow or brown (called sard) are colored by hydrous iron oxide impurities. These stones can be heated to convert the hydrous iron oxides to iron oxides, creating the more prized bright red and orange colors.

Raw Carnelian Sard Pendant — Washington Raw Carnelian/Sard Pendant

Carnelian differs from agate in that agate is banded. Technically, banded carnelian is agate, not carnelian, but is is very common for people to call banded orange chalcedony, “carnelian agate.”

Carnelian is one of my favorite stones to rockhound and I’ve collected quite a few from the creeks and rivers in Southwest Washington. I find them in the water, on gravel bars and sometimes I dig them out of clay-like mud along the banks.

Raw Banded Carnelian and Agate Chalcedony — Raw Banded Carnelian and Agate/Chalcedony – Fresh out of a gravel bed.

In addition to all the various carnelian nodules and tube agates, I have a small collection of carnelian fossilized clams, quite a few carnelian agates, some petrified wood that has carnelian in it, some carnelian geodes filled with quartz crystals and one fantastic rare carnelian with orbs. (Scroll down for Carnelian Metaphysical Properties.)

Petrified Agatized Clams found in Southwest Washington

Agate, Carnelian and Petrified Wood from Southwest Washington

Sard/Carnelian I found in a creek in Southwest Washington

This is a Carnelian Agate with Orbs I found in Southwest Washington.

As a powerful motivator, carnelian is used to increase ambition and drive as well as physical energy, vitality and stamina and to promote confidence, assertiveness and a sense of self-empowerment. It is helpful for self-expression, stage-fright and working through creative blocks, especially for actors, musicians, writers, poets and public speakers, particularly when used in combination with blue lace agate.

Carnelian is a stone of action, manifestation, optimism, protection, grounding and strengthening. It increases happy feelings, assisting the user in expelling negative thought patterns that cause sadness, anger, resentment, fear and depression.

As the go to stone for fertility, and sexuality, carnelian is very helpful for working through sexual trauma. It helps balance female hormones, plus it eases menstrual cramps, increases libido and helps one feel more sensual.

Carnelian vibrates elemental Fire energy and works well with the Root, Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakra. Carnelian never needs to be cleansed and can be used to cleanse other stones.