Carnelian Crystals: Their Properties and Benefits

by Bren Parks in Spirituality, November 5, 2008

Carnelians are beneficial for a number of disorders and ailments. Here is a handy overview along with a list of benefits that can be attributed to wearing and handling them.

Carnelians are a beautiful red crystal whose color varies from light red with yellow to a deep blood red. Having a trigonal crystal system they have a hardness rating of 7 (1 being softest and 10 being hardest). Carnelians are associated with the number 6. They are linked with the Sun and the zodiac signs of Taurus, Cancer, Leo and Scorpio.

Benefits of Carnelians include:

Relief from headaches.
Increases analytic abilities and concentration
Improves a weak memory
Decreases anger, envy and emotional negativity
Decreases nosebleeds
Promotes fertility in women and potency in men
Decreases frigidity in women and sexual dysfunction in men
Aids in the absorbtion of vitamins and minerals
Helps with blood disorders and purifies the blood
Improves conditions related to the heart and circulation
Alleviates lower back disorders
Alleviates the symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis
Accelerates healing of bones and ligaments
Increases courage

The name Carnelian is derived from the latin word carnis which means flesh. Deep red Carnelians have often been heat treated and when held up to the light will show internal stripes while a natural Carnelian will be more cloudy internally.

Carnelians were beloved by the Egyptians who believed they assisted the soul in it’s journey and that they provided tremendous protective powers in the afterlife. They were a popular stone for jewelry worn by the ancient Egyptians.

When worn, Carnelians are very effective in calming anger, jealousy and envy. They also impart an acceptance to the cycles of life and removes the fear of death. It is useful in preventing abuse by helping you to trust yourself, your judgment and improve your perceptions of life and those around you as well as to overcome negative conditioning.