A red variety of chalcedony, much used as an ornamental stone, especially for seals. The old name was cornelian, said to have been given in reference either to the horny appearance of the stone (Lat. cornu, “horn”) or to its resemblance in color to the berry of the cornel; but the original word was corrupted to carneliun, probably in allusion to its reddish color (carneus, “flesh-colored”). Some carnelian, however, is brown, yellow or even white.