Prized for millennia in Crete, Central Asia, and the Far East, carnelian has inspired myriad beliefs and legends. The ancient Egyptians saw the stone as a symbol of life, endowed with the power to facilitate the soul’s journey to the next world.

Van Cleef & Arpels carefully selects the rough stones with the liveliest colors: the chosen carnelians show variations in shades, textures and opacity which make it possible to constitute uniform sets of stones ranging from intense red to bright orange. The colors of carnelian are often balanced by lapidaries using specific techniques in order to achieve homogeneous undertones. The Maison seeks to obtain the highest level of polish in each stone in order to bring out its full potential.

Carnelian is a relatively resistant stone that is easy to care for. However, for the lasting enjoyment of your creation, Van Cleef & Arpels would like to share the following care recommendations. Mirror polish brings a particularly lively sparkle to the stone. In order to protect it, we recommend that you keep it away from any chemical or abrasive product, and therefore that you avoid direct contact with perfumes, lotions, and hand sanitizers.

It is also preferable to remove your jewelry when engaging in any sporting activity to avoid shocks. Carnelian can be naturally banded, which is due to its microcrystalline composition. If water infiltrates it, the banding may become more visible. The Maison therefore recommends that you avoid wearing your piece in a hot, humid setting (especially shower, spa or hammam).