Bloodstone - Mineral and Healing Properties

Chemistry: SiO2 Silicon Dioxide

Class: Silicates

Uses: Used in jewelry and ornamental stone as well as an aphrodesiac in India.

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• Bloodstone Rough
• Bloodstone Polished
• Bloodstone Sphere

Bloodstone is a dark green variety of chalcedony adorned with a splatter of bright red dots which is iron oxide minerals. It has been a popular gemstone for at least two thousand years. It is sometimes referred to as "heliotrope" by European authors and in works of the 18th century and earlier. As a member of the chalcedony family, bloodstone is a cryptocrystalline quartz. It inherits from that a conchoidal fracture and a hardness of approximately 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.

The most highly regarded bloodstone has a solid base color of deep forest green. On top of that is a light splatter of sharply contrasting and clearly visible blood-red dots. These are arranged in a spray or a random pattern as if they were blood spatter.

Origin Of The Name

The mineral aggregate heliotrope (from Greek trépein “to turn”), also known as bloodstone. The red inclusions are supposed to resemble spots of blood; hence the name bloodstone.

Interesting Facts

The most widely known legend of this stone comes from the Middle Ages and claims the Blood Stone was formed at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, when the blood of his wounds fell onto the dark green earth and turned to stone. Another version declares the blood of Christ, which flowed from the fatal spear-thrust, fell upon a Green Jasper lying at the foot of the Cross, and from this sprang the Bloodstone variety of Jasper.

In India, specimens of bloodstone with the finest colors are crushed, ground into a powder, and used as an aphrodisiac. This use removes much of the best bloodstone from the gem and jewelry market. The price for a gram of aphrodisiac rough is higher than the price for a gram of cutting rough.

Heliotrope was called stone of Babylon by Albert the Great and he referred to several magical properties, which were attributed to it from Late Antiquity. Pliny the Elder (1st century) mentioned first that the magicians used it as a stone of invisibility. Damigeron (4th century) wrote about its property to make rain, solar eclipse and its special virtue in divination and preserving health and youth.

Where Is It Found

Most bloodstone used today is mined and cut in India. Other sources of bloodstone include Australia, Brazil, China, and Madagascar. In the United States, small deposits of bloodstone have been found in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Bloodstone forms at shallow depths and low temperatures by precipitation from silica-rich groundwaters in fractures and cavities.

What Do We Do With It

Top-quality bloodstone is almost always cut into cabochons. Some is also cut into wands, small sculptures, bowls, and other utility objects. Occasionally it is cut into large faceted stones. A large amount of middle to lower grade material is processed in rock tumblers to produce tumbled stones.

Bloodstone has historically been a stone of men's jewelry. It was often cut with a signet design, mounted into a ring, and used to seal documents and letters. Today, flat-top or gently domed cabochons are popular in men’s rings and cufflinks. It is sometimes cut in relief or intaglio with the bust of a warrior, a dragon, family crest, national symbol, or other motif.

Metaphysical Uses

Bloodstone is regarded as a gem of noble sacrifice and can offer courage and solace to all who are called to give of themselves for the good of others. It elicits the highest, most altruistic character of those who wear or carry it.

Wear or carry Bloodstone as an amulet of protection against threats or bullying, whether verbal or physical, and for guidance to withdraw when appropriate and the courage to confront when needed. Bloodstone stimulates dreaming and heightens intuition. It is marvelous for increasing creativity and cultivating a project from the idea stage through to actualization. It encourages blessings and prosperity.

An excellent stimulator of the immune system, use Bloodstone to ward off colds, flu, infections and inflammation. It is also a remarkable aid for revitalizing and re-energizing the body after illness, injury, or physical exhaustion.

Bloodstone is an intense healing stone used to cleanse and realign the lower chakras with the heart, and is conducive to balancing the total body in order to overcome any distress or anxiety associated with re-alignment of these energies. This stone is particularly stimulating to the Base and Heart Chakras.

Physical Characteristics

Color: Green with red or yellow dots.

Luster: Vitreous.

Transparency: Opaque.

Crystal System: Hexagonal.

Crystal Habits:

Cleavage: Indescernable.

Fracture: Conchoidal.

Hardness: 6.5 - 7

Specific Gravity: 2.61