SiO₂
Carnelian
Roman intaglios sank into this orange-red chalcedony because the wax took a clean impression.
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5–7
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Colour
- red
- Element
- fire
- Chakra (tradition)
- sacral
- Zodiac
- Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Virgo
- Month
- —
- Where the earth keeps it
- India, Brazil, Uruguay
What it actually is
Carnelian is SiO₂ before it is a story. The lattice is trigonal, Mohs 6.5–7, and the eye meets red.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in India, Brazil, Uruguay. Roman intaglios sank into this orange-red chalcedony because the wax took a clean impression.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Carnelian to fire and to the sacral centre. The old site stood it near: Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Virgo.
How not to turn it to ash
Quartz will take lukewarm water and a cloth. Long sun fades amethyst and rose quartz. Perfume is a worse neighbour than dust.