Bloodstone
Also Heliotrope
Dark green jasper flecked with red iron oxide.
- Family
- Chalcedony
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs
- 6.5 to 7
- System
- Trigonal
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Science
Bloodstone is green chalcedony coloured by chlorite or amphibole, spotted with hematite. The old name heliotrope, 'sun-turner', comes from the belief that placed in water it would turn the reflected sun red.
- Mineral
- Chalcedony (variety)
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5 to 7
- Specific gravity
- 2.58 to 2.64
- Refractive index
- 1.530 to 1.540
- Lustre
- Waxy to vitreous
- Colours
- Dark green, Red
Composition
SiO₂. Made of Silicon, Oxygen, with trace Iron responsible for colour.
Origin
- IndiaDeccan
- Brazil
- Australia
- United States
- ScotlandIsle of Rum
Filled dots are primary sources
Rarity
Common, though pieces with bright, well-distributed red are harder to find.
- 1 Abundant
- 2 Common
- 3 Uncommon
- 4 Rare
- 5 Exceptional
Hardness
Bloodstone sits at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It will scratch glass and holds a polish in daily wear.
Energy
Associations from crystal-healing tradition, recorded here as folklore. They are not medical claims.
Chakras
- Root
- Heart
Element
- Earth
Zodiac
- Aries
- Pisces
- Scorpio
Planets
- Mars
Properties
- Courage
- Vitality
- Purification
- Resilience
Lore
Christian legend holds that drops of Christ's blood fell on green jasper at the foot of the cross. It was carved into scenes of the Passion through the Renaissance.
The traditional birthstone for March before aquamarine, and a soldier's stone for staunching wounds.
- SpotsHematite or red jasper inclusions in a chlorite-green ground.
- BirthstoneMarch, in the traditional list.