Ornate Carnelian Locket Keepsake Box Pendant Crystal Stone Jewelry

Reference id: iEQH8NNlwHk 12947

Pendant of a polished carnelian stone set in an ornate 925 silver plated setting with a latch to open and reveal a place for a photo or tiny keepsake.

Measures 1 7/8 inch long, 1 1/8 inch wide.

History of Carnelian

Carnelian is believed to be named after the red-orange Kornel cherry. Artifacts using carnelian date back to the Bronze Age circa 1800 BC on the island of Crete. Carnelian was believed by the Romans to be a stone of courage--able to shore up confidence and strength. In ancient Egypt, the stone was placed on mummies to assist the dead in their journey to the afterlife while architects to the pharaohs wore carnelian to denote rank and status. In the Middle Ages, carnelian was used by alchemists when boiling stone to release the energy of other gemstones.

Carnelian is the birthstone for the zodiac sign of Virgo (August 23 - September 22). For most cultures, from the 15th to the 20th century, carnelian was one of four birthstones for August. In 1912, the United States adopted peridot as the August birthstone, however in 2013, Britain recognized carnelian as a secondary birthstone after ruby.

Carnelian was the stone of courage to the ancient Romans, and for the ancient Egyptians it assisted the dead in their journey to the afterlife.

Metaphysical and Healing Properties

Depression, Self Esteem, Creativity, Energy, Insomnia, Motivation, Digestion, Confidence, Vitality, Motivation, Courage, Success, Abuse, Concentration, Envy, Rage, Resentment, Anger, Fertility, Sensuality, Back Problems, Rheumatism, Arthritis, Neuralgia, Depression, Kidneys, Bones, Ligaments, Blood Supply

From antiquity, carnelian has been worn in cameos in the belief that it would ward off insanity and depression. In contemporary times, carnelian is thought by some to enhance self-esteem and creativity, to combat feelings of inadequacy, to increase physical energy and overcome insomnia. In the home, carnelian is believed to increase motivation towards action. It is sometimes used as a talisman to protect against fire and misfortune. Carnelian is associated with the solar plexus chakra (the yellow chakra), in which imbalances are thought to cause digestive problems, as well as lack of confidence.

A stabilizing stone, Carnelian restores vitality and motivation, stimulates creativity, gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy and motivates for success, is useful for overcoming abuse, helps in trusting yourself and your perceptions, overcomes negative conditioning and encourages steadfastness, improves analytic abilities and clarifies perception, sharpens concentration and dispels mental lethargy, protects against envy, rage and resentment, calms anger, banishes emotional negativity and replaces it with a love of life, boosts fertility and stimulates sexuality.

Carnelian is said to treat lower back problems, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia and depression, regulate the kidneys, accelerates healing in bones and ligaments, improves vitamin and mineral absorption, and ensures good blood supply to organs and tissues.

Geological Properties

Carnelian is a variety of chalcedony and is a microcrystalline quartz. As a chalcedony, carnelian is formed from the intergrowth of two silica minerals with differing crystal structures: quartz and moganite. Carnelian appears in a vibrant range of fire-orange reds to brown-reds and has a dull, waxy luster (as opposed to the vitreous quality of crystal quartzes such as amethyst). The reddish tints in the translucent stone are due to one of its ingredients: iron oxide. Carnelian can be confused with jasper, which is usually considered a chalcedony.

Carnelian is most commonly found in India, Brazil, Siberia and Germany.

**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions.