Sardius (today’s carnelian)

Sardius (today’s carnelian) 

CARNELIAN (SARDIUS)Ex 28:19, 39:10; Rev 4:3, 21:20

Carnelian is a translucent, hard, fine-grained variety of orange-red quartz that has often been used for ring stones and wax seals. Carnelian has been frequently discovered in excavations of the ancient tombs of royalty. A necklace more than 10 feet long and containing 670 orange-red carnelian beads was found in the tomb of a queen dating 1000 BC. A string of expertly carved carnelian beads was found in Egypt dating back to 3100 BC. Carnelian is the modern word for the stone translated as sardius in the KJV. The Greek word is sardios and is found as the 6th stone of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:20), and in the description of the Lord in Rev 4:3. The Hebrew word odem (literally redness or red stone) is translated by some Bible scholars as sardius (today’s carnelian). Odem is the stone listed as the first stone in the breastplate in Exodus. Odem here could have been any one of several red stones known to the ancient Hebrews; the garnet or red jasper, as well as the sardius (carnelian)

Carnelian (also spelled cornelian) is a brownish-red mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. Similar to carnelian is sard, which is generally harder and darker (the difference is not rigidly defined, and the two names are often used interchangeably). Both carnelian and sard are varieties of the silica mineral chalcedony colored by impurities of iron oxide. The color can vary greatly, ranging from pale orange to an intense almost-black coloration. It is most commonly found in Brazil, India, Siberia, and Germany.

The bow drill was used to drill holes into carnelian in Mehrgarh between 4th-5th millennium BCE. Carnelian was recovered from Bronze Age Minoan layers at Knossos on Crete in a form that demonstrated its use in decorative arts; this use dates to approximately 1800 BCE. Carnelian was used widely during Roman times to make engraved gems for signet or seal rings for imprinting a seal with wax on correspondence or other important documents. Hot wax does not stick to carnelian.Sard was used for Assyrian cylinder seals, Egyptian and Phoenician scarabs, and early Greek and Etruscan gems. The Hebrew odem (translated sardius), the first stone in the High Priest's breastplate, was a red stone, probably sard but perhaps red jasper.

Although now the more common term, "carnelian" is a 16th century corruption of the 14th century word "cornelian" (and its associated orthographies corneline and cornalyn). Cornelian, cognate with similar words in several Romance languages, comes from the Mediaeval Latin corneolus, itself derived from the Latin word cornum, the cornel cherry, whose translucent red fruits resemble the stone. The Oxford English Dictionary calls "carnelian" a perversion of "cornelian", by subsequent analogy with the Latin word caro, carnis, flesh. According to Pliny the Elder, sard derives its name from the city of Sardis in Lydia, but it more likely comes from the Persian word سرد sered, meaning yellowish-red.

"And thou shalt set in it [the high-priest's breastplate] settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their enclosings" -- Exodus 28:17-20

Mohs scale hardness   6 – 7

Mystical/healing /magical Properties:

Carnelian aids in understanding the inner self and strengthens concentration. It helps one to overcome the ear of public speaking, increases the self worth, and is a fast acting stone to succeed in one's career.

Carnelian is said to assist in stimulating creativity. It seems to have a clearing effect, dispelling negative energies as it replaces them with positive ones. This can make it easier to find direction, and its grounding effects can make it easier for you to feel in control of your life. This makes carnelian a good stone for people who feel like they are going nowhere.

Carnelian balances creative and organization abilities, opens doors and creates a need to follow through on plans. Wear this stone to prevent other people from reading your thoughts or from dark forces attempting to influence your mind.

There are quite many ancient beliefs associated with Carnelian, which centered around protection during travels after death and against evil.

Carnelian applied physically, can promote balanced digestion. For lower abdominal pain, especially in woman and in pregnancy, this stone placed on the pubic bone each day for twenty minutes will reduce the pain.

Carnelian encourages the formation of new blood cells, and bleeding will respond favorably to treatment with this stone. Physically, carnelian has been used to encourage healing of open sores, rheumatism, kidney stones and other kidney problems.

It is said that this stone will help cleanse and purify the blood, thus giving more physical energy.

Energy: Projective

Element: Fire

Powers: Protection, peace, eloquence, healing and courage

Carnelian was worn on the hand in ancient Egypt to still anger, as well as jealousy, envy and hatred. It is still used to promote peace and harmony and to dispel depression as well.

It is used to counteract doubt ad negative thoughts, and can also be used in spells relating to these problems. It may confer patience.

Carnelian has been worn to guard against others who try to read your thoughts. In Renaissance magic, the carnelian was usually engraved with a sword or images of warriors. Then this as a magical amulet was place in the home to guard it from lighting and storms or carried as protection against enchantment.

It must be cleansed once a month under warm running water and recharged for quite a long period in the sun. Wear it so it is in direct contact with the skin. Carnelian water is created by leaving the stone in the vessel of water overnight.

New Age Benefits of Carnelian Gemstone Jewelry

Increases energy- like the Sun

Protects against bad vibrations- increases Sense of well being

Guards against poverty- makes you feel free, open, like anything is possible

Balances the lower abdomen/lower back Chakra- Focused intentions

Lifts sense of humor- because you feel in complete control

Calms the temper - clears soggy emotions- burns them away like the Sun

Jordan's Jewelry Designs