History & Introduction

Bloodstone gemstone is found in opaque and translucent and it is a specimen of chalcedony. It is more classified into a variety of microcrystalline quartz. Bloodstone shows a dark green color and the existence of red, blood-like inclusions that is how it earn its descriptive gemstone name. Bloodstone is also known as 'heliotrope' and 'blood jasper'. Bloodstone gem is also famous as the birthstone for March. Bloodstone's green body color is due to the dense additions consisting of the chlorite or hornblende needles. The colors in Bloodstone ranges in various shades of light to dark green and naturally, the distribution of primary color is uneven, often showing noticeable light and dark zones of color. Inclusions of Bloodstone in blood-like are owed to the presence of iron oxide impurities. The 'blood-drops' can range from red to brownish in color. There are stones that show yellow spotting, which are called as 'plasma' in trade and are often mistaken with jasper.

In Christianity it has an old history of bloodstone use. Practically, this gemstone is considered as one of the most important gems in the writings of the Christian. Bloodstone is believed to form by the blood of Jesus Christ. It was believed while crucifixion, the blood of Jesus dripped from his wounds, which stained the green jasper placed under his feet. His red blood forever stained green stones that gives birth the present day bloodstone gemstone. The name, "Jasper blood ', is derived from the Christian legend, however technically, the name is very misleading since bloodstone is practically not jasper.

During historic times, bloodstone was commonly used for carving and sculpture and symbols representing flogging along with martyrdom stamps.

Since ages the commonly use of bloodstone is for the carving and sculpting of symbols and seals that represented martyrdom and flagellation. In the bloodstone category the popular gemstone available is the carving that is displayed currently in the Louvre Museum of Paris. German Emperor, Rudolf II use this as the seal.

Recognize - Bloodstone is easily recognized because of its characteristic 'classic' appearance. The base color of bloodstone is available from green to bluish green, and also bluish gray at many times. The most unique feature is the existence of red, brownish or yellow 'blood-like' spotted inclusions. Bloodstone is a variety of quartz and possess perfect hardness. Not so many materials are able to scratch bloodstone, therefore to discern bloodstone from other synthetic stones a simple scratch test is enough. The composition of bloodstone gem consist of silicon dioxide and presence of trigonal crystal structure made up of microcrystalline aggregates.

Availability - The gem mines and sources of bloodstone are mainly found in California in USA, Madagascar and India. Important deposits are also found in China, Australia, Germany and Brazil. The latest source found is the Isle of Rum, in Scotland.

Usages - Bloodstone is mainly cut into beads along with cabochons, where it is used in necklaces and bracelets and at times rings too. It is very rarely cut into different facets of gemstone. Bloodstone is used traditionally as a seal stone, and there are times when it is carved into small carvings as well as figures.

Buying Guide

Color - Bloodstone is mainly found in dark green, however it also occurs in bluish gray, brown and greenish blue. Bloodstone possess of red to brownish, and even yellow spotting due to iron oxide inclusions. The distribution of color in blood stone is not even and many times it is found with noticeable light and dark color zones.

Clarity and Lustre - The clarity of bloodstone ranges from translucent to opaque. When cut as well as polished, it shows a luster that is vitreous, maximum time it gives a slightly waxy or resinous. Natural bloodstone inclusions adds up to chlorite and hornblende needles and into iron oxide.

Cut and Shape - Naturally, the gemstone is cut en cabochon. It is even popular in the form of tumbled stones and gemstone beads. Naturally the smaller stones are not faceted, however faceting is in general for larger stones. Maximum stones are cut into pear or oval shapes, however different fancy shapes are even found like hearts, trillions, marquise shapes, plain-cuts and free-forms. Frequently, bloodstone is used for the purpose of cameos, carvings, insignia and seals.

Treatment - Naturally, the bloodstone gems is not dyed, heated, improved or treated in other ways. The stone is left untreated from the mine to the market, there are only few gems, which are not treated and blood stone is among them.

Gemological Characteristics:

Chemical Formula	SiO2 - Silicon dioxide
Crystal Structure	Trigonal - microcrystalline aggregates
Color	apple-green, green, brown, greenish-blue with red spots
Hardness	From 6.5 to 7
Refractive Index	From 1.530 to 1.540
Density	2.58 to 2.64
Cleavage	Fracture rough, brittle
Transparency	From translucent to opaque
Double Refraction / Birefringence	Up to 0.004
Lustre	Vitreous, waxy to resinous
Fluorescence	Not found
Mineral Class	Quartz (Chalcedony)

Classification:

• Bloodstone Chalcedony
• Red Bloodstone
• Green Bloodstone