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Depicted above is a Greek carnelian ringstone carved with a bust of Alexander the Great, from the Late Hellenistic Period, circa 1st century B.C.

Most natural carnelian occurs as nodules of common chalcedony which have been infiltrated by solutions of iron bearing salts which later precipitated as reddish oxides. The localities which have sourced fine carnelian include Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Uruguay and the United States.

Carnelian has been valued and employed as a gemstone since antiquity. Carnelian artifacts have been recovered from Bronze Age Minoan layers at Knossos on Crete dating to approximately 1800 B.C. Because hot wax does not stick to Carnelian, it was used widely in ancient Roman times to make signet and seal rings for imprinting wax seals on important documents.

Closely related to carnelian is sard, which is generally distinguished from carnelian by virtue of being less translucent and darker in color, although the difference between them is ambiguous in common nomenclature and the two names are often used interchangeably. Both were known as sardion during the Middle Ages.

Carnelian is most commonly presented in jewelry as cabochons, beads and carvings. Carnelian is a relatively tough and hard material (6-7 Mhos hardness) with good wear characteristics and resistance to abrasion. Carnelian wears well in rings and bracelets and is commonly employed as a gemstone in all types of jewelry. Carnelian does not have specific care requirements, but conservative gemstone precautions should be observed when cleaning and storing carnelian for the sake of preserving the original condition of the stone. It is safest to clean carnelian using warm water, mild soap and a cloth or soft brush. Do not use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner and keep carnelian out of contact with excessive heat, acids, ammonia and other chemical or abrasive cleaners.

BeadStrand1 - Carnelian Gemstone Beads 8mm Round - $9.85	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Limited Stock: 3 Strands Available

Approximate Size: 8mm diameter. Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details. Strand lengths are approximately 8 inches long and each strand contains approximately 25 beads. Average strand weight approximately 19 grams. Predominately orange-red carnelian color rounds - these beads are extremely gemmy!

BeadStrand71 - Carnelian Gemstone Beads 10mm Round - $21.45	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Limited Stock: 8 Strands Available

Approximate Size: 10mm diameter. Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details. Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 40 beads. Average strand weight approximately 56 grams. Translucent carnelain rounds imbued with classic rich red-brown color.

BeadStrand72 - Carnelian Gemstone Beads 14mm Round - $28.95	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Limited Stock: 5 Strands Available

Approximate Size: 14mm diameter. Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details. Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 28 beads. Average strand weight approximately 107 grams. Large and gemmy yellow-orange to orange-red carnelian rounds.

BeadStrand73 - Carnelian Gemstone Beads 4mm Round - $7.45	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Limited Stock: 6 Strands Available

Approximate Size: 4mm diameter. Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details. Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 99 beads. Average strand weight approximately 10 grams. Gemmy carnelain rounds imbued with classic rich red-brown color.

BeadStrand75 - Carnelian Gemstone Beads 12mm Rice - $1.95	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Limited Stock: 9 Strands Available

Approximate Size: 12mm long x 8mm diameter. Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details. Strand lengths are approximately 16 inches long and each strand contains approximately 33 beads. Average strand weight approximately 36 grams. B-grade, varigated carnelian rice shape beads.

BeadStrand76 - Carnelian Gemstone Beads 15mm Tube - $5.95	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Limited Stock: 9 Strands Available

Approximate Size: 15mm long x 6mm diameter. Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details. Strand lengths are approximately 8 inches long and each strand contains approximately 14 beads. Average strand weight approximately 13 grams. Gemmy, varigated predominately carneilan color grading towards striped agate. These tube shape beads vary in size from 14mm-16mm in length and 5mm-6mm in diameter.

BeadStrand81 - Carnelian Gemstone Beads 14mm Tube - $6.35	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Limited Stock: 12 Strands Available

Approximate Size: 14mm long x 9mm diameter. Please note the image at left may be larger than life to help show the fine details. Strand lengths are approximately 8 inches long and each strand contains approximately 14 beads. Average strand weight approximately 32 grams. These gemmy carneilan tube shape beads vary in size from 13mm-15mm in length and 9mm-10mm in diameter.

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