Carnelian Healing Properties: Meaning, Uses, and Benefits!

Carnelian crystal

Do you need a major shot of inspiration? Whether you need a creative boost or help focusing, we’re showing you how to use carnelian for healing. Are there specific carnelian healing properties? You bet! 

The Powerful Benefits Of Healing Crystals

Since ancient times, crystals have bestowed powerful energetic healing properties. While the practice of crystal healing disappeared from the spotlight for a few decades, it’s recently had a resurgence thanks to celebrities and public figures endorsing their benefits.

In a 2016 interview, famous singer Adele said she couldn’t go on stage without clutching her crystals in her hand.

One of the crystals Adele relies on the most for her stellar performances is carnelian. Often called “the artist’s stone,” carnelian is a captivating deep orange crystal used for everything from boosting confidence to healing liver issues. 

In this post, we outline everything there is to know about this powerful stone. Read on to see how adding a piece of carnelian to your crystal collection can benefit you! 

Carnelian Stone Meaning and History

Carnelian comes mostly from Indonesia, Brazil, India, Siberia, and Germany. The first records of carnelian track to Sumerian and Egyptian artisans, who first crafted carnelian jewelry pieces 4,500 years ago. 

The origin of carnelian’s name is somewhat of a mystery. Some believe that the stone’s name comes from the cornel cherry, which has translucent red fruits that resemble the stone. 

Others credit the Latin words “caro” or “carnis,” which means “flesh.” Likely, this attribution stems from the stone’s translucent quality and reddish color reminiscent of fingernails.

Carnelian is one of the four birthstones for August, along with peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. It’s also the zodiac stone for Virgo and Leo, the two astrological signs falling partly in August. 

However, the American Jewelers List of 1912 stripped carnelian of its birthstone title in favor of peridot in spinel.

While it might not represent your birth month, carnelian has many benefits and healing properties.

carnelian stone

Physical Properties of Carnelian 

Carnelian comes from the mineral chalcedony, a variation from the Quartz family. The stone exists in a range of warm hues, from light yellow to deep red. As it gets closer to brown, it enters into another category of crystals: Sard. 

A carnelian crystal displaying a combination of orange, red, and brown is called Jasper. 

Finding a piece of natural carnelian is tricky, as most crystals are dyed or heat-treated to achieve additional colors. While the coloring method varies, it’s typically done by placing the porous stones in vats of dye and letting them sit to marinate for several weeks. 

Certain carnelian gemstones may fade in light or heat. In India, miners and artisans would lay Carnelian stones in the sun for several months. The bright sunshine would change dark brown stones to a pure red color, increasing their value.   

We’ve looked at the physical characteristics, now let’s get to the good stuff: the healing!

Carnelian properties - stripped

Carnelian Stone Benefits And Mystical Properties

Throughout history, people have believed in the positive influence of carnelian. 

In ancient Egypt, Carnelian was called the “Blood of Isis,” the goddess of nature who guided souls to the underworld. Because of this belief, it was ritual to place Carnelian amulets called ‘thets’ on the throats of corpses before being entombed. 

The belief was that this act ensured Isis would guide the soul safely into the next life. 

Middle Eastern cultures also used the protective powers of carnelian. If a person carried a Carnelian pendant engraved with prayers, they would be safe from the “evil eye.” Another version of this legend says that Allah would grant wishes to believers who wore Carnelian pendants engraved with God’s name.

Alchemists and healers in the Middle-Ages considered carnelian to be a “hot” stone, meaning it could amplify other stones’ healing properties. Even today, Buddhists in China, India, and Tibet follow the Egyptian tradition of having carnelian set with turquoise and lapis lazuli to increase their healing powers. 

Metaphysical Carnelian Healing Properties

Carnelian emits a warm, confident energy. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s closely related to one of the body’s seven Chakras, or energy centers. 

What is the carnelian Chakra? 

Carnelian is connected to the lower 3 Chakras:

  1. Solar Plexus Chakra
  2. Sacral Chakra
  3. Root Chakra

These Chakras are responsible for our life force, sexual and creative energies, and assertiveness. Carnelian is a particularly potent stone for people who need a little extra boost to help them achieve their goals and intentions.

The confidence people get from this stone makes it an excellent talisman for performers (like Adele!). Are you trying to boost yourself up before an interview or an audition? Carry a piece of carnelian with you to fortify your nerves and calm your stress.

Carnelian is a stabilizing stone. Because of its connections to the lower Chakras, people use it for grounding and stabilizing chaotic energies. If you feel like you’re drowning in a busy work schedule or having trouble connecting with a romantic partner, try meditating while holding a Carnelian piece. Its soothing, grounding powers will help to clear your head and settle your emotions. 

Carnelian crystals properties

Physical Healing Properties of Carnelian

Besides being beautiful, carnelian also has powerful healing properties that can soothe several physical ailments. 

Due to its connection with the Sacral Chakra, Carnelian is used by women to help with discomfort, cramps, and other symptoms associated with menstruation. In fact, carnelian helps with all matters concerning blood – your heart rate, blood pressure, circulation, and even nose-bleeds! 

Some healers believe that if you place a piece of carnelian on an open wound, it will help stop the bleeding. 

Carnelian’s confidence-boosting abilities also make it an excellent stone for those in an emotional rut. If you’re over-burdened with feelings of depression or despair, bringing a piece of carnelian into your life can help to elevate your mood. You’ll find yourself able to accomplish things without feeling exhausted. 

Carnelian’s ability to boost energy is also helpful to those trying to lose weight. This stone can give your metabolism the extra boost it needs to shed those last stubborn pounds. 

It will also calm any cravings you may have between meals and help you avoid late-night snacking. Before diving into a big meal, take a couple of minutes to hold a piece of carnelian in your hand. Think about the nutrition you’re about to receive and all the ways it will benefit your body. 

You’ll find yourself eating more slowly and being more conscious of the food you consume. You might even enjoy the flavors a bit more!

Use Carnelian Crystals For Healing

Carnelian is a powerful stone that lives up to its fiery orange color! Add a piece to your collection for those times when you feel like you need a gentle nudge to go the distance.

If you’ve experienced the uplifting healing properties of carnelian, let us know in the comments! Ready to start healing with carnelian?

Grab our Essential Crystal Set, which comes with 13 healing crystals, including a tumbled carnelian Chakra stone!

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