Ancient peoples all over the world favored the warm, reddish gem known as carnelian. This material was easy to cut into jewelry stones as well as carve into seals and talismans. Carnelian symbolism and lore came to encompass health, luck, and royalty.
In contemporary times, carnelian is thought by some to enhance self-esteem and creativity, to combat feelings of inadequacy, to increase physical energy and overcome insomnia. In the home, carnelian is believed to increase motivation towards action.