Gemstone Names · Entry

Carnelian

Old French via Latin

“cornel-cherry red, later 'flesh-colored'”

Where it comes from

cornelian, from Latin cornus ('cornel cherry'), later altered under the influence of Latin caro ('flesh')

Fun Fact

A translucent orange-red variety of chalcedony, carnelian was carved into signet stones and beads in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.

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