Great South Gems & Minerals

• Carnelian Rough •
(India)

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• Carnelian Rough •
(India)

carnelian - Carnelian specimens

Rough Carnelian specimens from India. This material has been heat treated to enhance the deep reddish-orange color of the stones. These stones would be excellent for cutting or tumbling; really nice color.

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Carnelian is a chalcedony, a variety of quartz. Hardness 7. Silicon dioxide. Carnelian is a semi-precious gemstone. True carnelian shows cloudy color distribution in transmitted light. Colors range from red to brown-red.

Carnelian is often used for lapidary work to make cabochons, beads and other stones for jewelry. Carnelian gemstones have been found in ancient Egyptian jewelry dating back over 5,000 years old.

In modern times, most of the carnelian used in the production of items for gemstones has been heat treated to enhance the color. Used in the production of beads for bracelets and necklaces, cabochons used in rings, bracelets, broaches and many other items, carnelian is very popular as a gemstone. See Carnelian in Wikipedia.

See Carnelian specimens from Washington.
See tumbled carnelian from Brazil.
See Carnelian "pillows".

Having the same chemical make up as Agate, when Carnelian grades into brown it is known as Sard. When it contains bands of white, it is known as Sardonyx. In addition, some very dark brown Carnelian can be classified as Jasper. The distinction between these is very fine and relies more on visual appearance than scientific analysis. As a result, it is very possible that one man's Carnelian may be another man's Sard, Agate or Jasper. Chemically, Carnelian is composed of Silicon Dioxide, SiO2, and gets its red color from Hematite (Iron-Oxide, FeO2) impurities. Many Carnelians offered today are Agates which are dyed and then heat treated. Natural Carnelian will usually exhibit a cloudy distribution of color.

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