Carnelian Lion Ring



New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, ca. 1550-1292 BC. Private Collection.

Carnelian is a brownish-red mineral commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. In ancient Egypt, people wear carnelian to ward off the Evil Eye and instill peace. The ancient Egyptians called carnelian “the setting sun”.

Carnelian, however, is a semi-precious stone that was used frequently by the Egyptians of all social classes, through Dynastic Egypt till the Roman period. Sources mention of one mine, found in Egypt, which would have supplied carnelian from the Middle Kingdom.

However, the source of the gemstone before this is relatively unknown. What is known is that it was used abundantly for amulets, beads, small figurines and inlay works and it was prized despite its ample use. It would seem that carnelian was valued for its connotations rather than its scarcity.