Cornelian or Carnelian?

Carnelian and Cornelian are the same name for a red variety of  Chalcedony which is one of the varieties of Quartz hard stones. This stone is sometimes found in antique jewellery and vintage jewellery

Cornelian is probably the name most used these days. The red is a translucent colour and it can vary from yellowish to brownish red.

carnelian Jewellery

The red colour is due to Iron oxide in the stone and the red deepens when it is heated. Much of this stone comes from India where they put it out in the sun to deepen the red colour.

Once it was thought that Cornelian would still the blood or calm the temper.

This hardstone can be made into beads, cabochons or carved as an intaglio or cameo. One of the most popular uses during the Victorian era was to set it into Men’s jewellery particularly into watch fobs and spinning fobs.

AntiquesAvenue offers genuine antique and vintage carnelian jewellery such as the wonderful vintage jewellery set pictured above.