Also known as Carnelian, the name comes from the Latin word for flesh: carnis. The name refers to the dark, almost fleshy colour often seen in the stone. The colour comes from the iron-oxide in its structure, and at Rebus, we select stones with a uniformly deep red to brown colour. Cornelian was widely used in the Roman Empire to make engraved gems for signet rings or wax seals for correspondence or other important documents, as the hot wax they used did not stick to Cornelian. The stone is most commonly found in Brazil, India, Siberia and Germany. Cornelian was once the stone prescribed for those with weak or timid voices, thought to give them the power to speak with courage and conviction. It was also said to protect against envious glances and to grant the wishes of the wearer.