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.

With its warm nuances, carnelian also denotes joy and happiness. Van Cleef & Arpels mainly uses Brazilian carnelian in its creations, a variety of stones remarkable for their translucency and their deep, uniform color, as well as their gleam. Lapidaries often strive to harmonize the colors of carnelian gems; each expert has his or her own techniques to achieve the perfect hue.


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).