carnelian
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What is carnelian? Carnelian is a reddish gemstone. It is a variety of chalcedony, a type of quartz. It varies from semi-opaque to translucent, and it can be various shades of red or amber. When it is variegated or banded (meaning the stone shows stripes of white), it is sometimes called agate. Carnelian is sometimes spelled cornelian (its original spelling), though this is now much less common. Carnelian is considered a semiprecious gemstone, which is a label applied to gemstones that have a lesser value than those deemed precious. However, carnelian is not commonly seen in fine jewelry and can be quite inexpensive. Carnelian is typically formed into a shape known as a cabochon, which is polished but not cut into facets. These are often used as beads in necklaces and bracelets. Carnelian is one of the traditional birthstones for the month of August (though in the UK it is considered one of the birthstones for the month of July). The word carnelian can also refer to a color—a shade of dark reddish-brown, like that of the gemstone. Example: The ancient pendant was made from a striking piece of banded carnelian.
Etymology
Origin of carnelian
1685–95; variant (with a of carnation ) of cornelian, Middle English cornel ( ine ) (< Middle French, probably equivalent to Old French cornele cornel cherry + -ine -ine 1 ) + -ian
Vocabulary lists containing carnelian
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The doorknob-size piece, inlaid with carnelian, agate and lapis lazuli flowers reminiscent of the Taj, exemplifies how even the smallest functional item would be meticulously crafted and decorated in a consistent style in Mughal workshops.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026
I even started clutching a red-tinted carnelian crystal during games, which I am convinced has something to do with the Chiefs’ success this season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2024
Other discoveries included semiprecious stones such as amber from the Baltics and lapis lazuli and carnelian from Mesopotamia and the northern Levant, according to Fischer.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 11, 2023
Cuneiform tablets from Mesopotamia refer to the Indus valley as Meluhha and document that precious stones such as lapis lazuli and carnelian, as well as marine shells from the Indian Ocean, were imported from there.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023
A carnelian bracelet cuff one time, a choker with lapis lazuli beads another.
From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
