Carnelian is a hard and tough translucent form of chalcedony that usually occurs in a uniform color of red, orange or red-brown.
Known thousands of years before the birth of Christ; carnelian has been used extensively in jewelry ever since, particularly for signet rings, seals, cameos and scarabs because of its hardness and rich orange-red color. Engraved with Arabic characters, it protected the wearer from the tricks of the envious. Throughout the East envy is feared, for it is believed that it will cause the envied to lose his possessions. It was the favorite stone of the prophet Mohammed and verses from the Koran have been found engraved on this stone. Carnelian is said to stimulate analytical capabilities and precision.
Carnelian is the zodiac stone for Virgo. August 23 to September 22.
|
|