How To Use Carnelian For Inspiration, Confidence, Creativity & More

Carnelian is one of those crystals that's as beautiful as it is versatile—and whether you need a creativity boost or a bit more confidence, this is one stone to reach for. Here's what to know about carnelian, from benefits to uses, plus how to take care of it, according to experts.

A majority of the carnelian you can purchase today originally comes from India, but it's dispersed all over the world with deposits in Brazil, Egypt, Uruguay, the U.S., and more.

Carnelian is an extremely energizing crystal, Van Doren notes. Just like the fire it resembles, "Carnelian's gifts lie in sparking energizing flames in you," she says, adding, "This crystal helps get your inner fires burning brightly so that you can go further with your goals, desires, and dreams."

According to Heather Askinosie, crystal expert and co-founder of Energy Muse Jewelry, carnelian is the stone of joy, confidence, and self-empowerment. Again, think of it as a stone that stokes your inner fire, igniting your energy from within.

As Askinosie previously explained to mbg, carnelian is also great for tapping into creative energy. "It aligns with our second (sacral) chakra—responsible for creativity—and enables us to tap into our inner gifts and strengths," she says. It can also be used to remove blocks that leave us feeling burnt out, uninspired, and stuck, she adds.

Since carnelian is associated with the sacral chakra, it's also great for working with sexual energy. Creativity and sexual energy both come from the sacral chakra, and as spiritual teacher and activist Emma Mildon previously explained to mbg, carnelian can help amplify your intentions in these realms.

Lastly, according to crystal expert and founder of Satya Jewelry Satya Scainetti, carnelian is also a stone of protection, stability, and vitality. "It's a great one to program with the intention to become more fearless and courageous in all that you do," she previously wrote for mbg.

If you feel you're lacking the energy and focus required to bring your creative dreams into reality, Van Doren suggests keeping a piece of carnelian in your workspace, whether on your desk or tucked into your work bag.

Because carnelian can be so potent for boosting confidence and empowerment, it's a great crystal to include in your self-care rituals. One simple recommendation from Van Doren is to keep a piece in your bathroom. Put it in your medicine cabinet, on the edge of your bathtub, or wherever it will remind you to charge your self-care practices with extra intentionality.

Van Doren explains that if you're looking to spice things up in the bedroom, a bit of carnelian can definitely help. You don't have to actually incorporate it into the act itself but rather keep a small piece on your nightstand. You may want to move it out of the bedroom when it's time to go to bed—but more on that later.

Want to amp up your next workout? Bring some carnelian to the gym with you! As Van Doren notes, "Its strengthening energy will push you to go further and harder and help you stick to your biggest health and fitness goals."

"Write the first three things that come to your mind. Wrap the crystal in the paper you wrote on and carry with you for 14 days," she adds.

If you're looking to manifest something in your life and you have a vision board to show for it, you can power up your vision with a bit of carnelian. Askinosie recommends placing a piece of carnelian on top of your vision board, allowing it to supercharge your intention—and give you the energy and confidence to go after your goal.

And last but not least, if you want to offer your home some extra protection, Askinosie previously told mbg she always has a carnelian crystal just inside her front door. "These stones are effective at keeping negativity out, and they also invite positivity through the energy of abundance," she notes.

And if you're looking for the sexually energizing benefits of carnelian, Mildon says orange sapphire pairs well with carnelian, as do rubies, which are thought to inspire passion and sexual connection.

Along with using sun and moonlight, you can also use sound, water, salt, and even your own breath to clear it off. (Check out our full guide for cleansing and charging crystals for more inspo.)

Yes, carnelian is a birthstone, though not one of the most popular ones. According to Van Doren, "It is one of the oldest gemstones to be used for jewelry and is a historical birthstone for August." (Most people know peridot as August's birthstone, but historically, carnelian is one of four associated with this month, as well as September.)

Given that carnelian is associated with August and September, Van Doren says carnelian is a traditional birthstone for Virgo.

When thinking about which crystals are associated with which chakras, color is often your biggest clue. Carnelian, with its bright orange color, is associated with the sacral chakra, which rules sexuality and creativity.

As previously noted, carnelian can be great in the bedroom—but not for sleep. Because this stone is so energizing, it's not a great idea to put it under your pillow while you're trying to get some shut-eye. Of course, everyone's different and crystals are influenced by intention, so you could certainly see for yourself. But generally, no, this isn't a great crystal for sleep.

Van Doren tells mbg that wearing carnelian as jewelry is a fantastic way to integrate its energy into your daily life. You could fasten a piece to a necklace or bracelet, find a pair of carnelian earrings, or quite honestly, "wear" it in your bra or keep it in your pocket.

As you travel your spiritual path, having the right crystals on hand can help you with whatever it is you're working toward. And whether you want to boost your creativity or sexual energy, work with your sacral chakra, or inspire confidence in yourself, carnelian is a great addition to any crystal collection.