carnelian
1 synonym for carnelian, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A hard, reddish-brown form of chalcedony used to make jewellery.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
cornelian
How to use carnelian
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a carnelian ring
polished carnelian
a carnelian bead
set with carnelian
It's a fairly ordinary word in jewellery and mineralogy contexts, not a technical term outside those fields.
Etymology
Carnelian developed from cornelian. Its spelling shifted to carneolus under the influence of the Latin word carneus, meaning fleshy, a nod to the stone's flesh-toned colour.
Full origin of carnelian →Frequently asked questions
What is carnelian made of?
It is a hard variety of chalcedony, a mineral in the quartz family, coloured reddish brown.
Is carnelian the same as cornelian?
Yes, cornelian is an older form of the same word and is still used as another name for the stone.
What is carnelian used for?
It is cut and polished for use in jewellery, such as rings, beads and pendants.
