Carnelian is a type of chalcedony, a member of the quartz family, and gets its orange to red-brown colour from traces of iron. It is hard-wearing and takes a lovely polish, this piece is a faceted cut stone so it really catches the light.
It is also one of the oldest stones people have worn. In ancient Egypt it was linked to the goddess Isis and buried with the dead as protection on their journey. Roman engravers carved it into signet rings because hot wax doesn't stick to it, so it made a clean seal. Across many cultures it has been carried as a stone of courage, said to ward off the evil eye and steady the nerves.
The pendant is chunky and tactile, it hangs on an equally chunky gold vermeil belcher chain.
- Materials - genuine Carnellian, 24 K Gold vermeil finish on 935 Sterling silver base
- Chain - 18 inches
- Packaging - comes packaged in a gold foil printed recycled gift box