Carnelian

Carnelian (#8F3A1F) is a deep red with an earthy character. It leans grounded and natural, the kind of color that plays well with wood, clay, linen, and warm neutrals. Its HSL profile (14°, 64%, 34%) places it in the balanced band at a dark lightness. It works well as a headline, icon, or deep background in an otherwise light layout, pairing cleanly with cream, bone, and warm neutrals. For a confident two-color system, pair it with its complementary cyan. For something softer, pull in its analogous neighbors on either side of the wheel. Orange-red chalcedony set into Mesopotamian cylinder seals and the signet rings of Napoleon. Prophet Muhammad reportedly wore a carnelian engraved on his right hand.

Harmonies

Related Colors