Bloodstone

This stone is an interesting mineral conglomeration, usually comprised of green Jasper with red Hematite inclusions, which form a pattern which can look like blood spots.

It is also known as Heliotrope, and is usually sold polished, in order to show off the pattern.

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Appearance, Uses and History

An opaque Jasper with a dark green matrix with ‘blood splatter’ markings on the surface.

This material is often referred to as Blood Jasper or Heliotrope.

It is often used for carvings, as a decorative material, or for jewellery. It was especially popular in Edwardian and Georgian jewellery, such as signet rings, cufflinks, and seals.

There are a significant number of myths and legends about the stone, particularly from the Romans, and was mentioned by Pliny in

Locales

This material is found in Indonesia, with smaller sources in Armenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Kenya, Australia, India, and the USA.

Mineralogy

Chemistry
SiO2, a variety of Chalcedony. Particles of Chlorite cause a green coloured matrix. The red spots are caused by Iron Oxide.
Colours and Variations
Dark green/green-blue with red spots.
Streak
White / colourless
Luster
Waxy, resinous
Fracture
Conchoidal, granular
Crystal habit
Fibrous, grainy
Mohs hardness
6.5 – 7.0
Specific Gravity
2.55 – 2.70
Easiest testing method
Common Treatments

Hazards and Warnings

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Arabic:

  • حجر الدم

Hindi:

  • हेलियोट्रोपे
  • ब्लडस्टोन

Portuguese:

  • heliotrópio
  • pedra de sangue

Bengali:

  • এক ধরনের মূল্যবান পাথর

Indonesian:

  • batu darah

Punjabi:

English:

Italian:

  • eliotropio

Russian:

  • гелиотроп
  • гелиотропный камень

French:

  • héliotrope
  • pierre de sang

Japanese:

  • ブラッドストーン
  • ヘリオトロープ

Spanish:

  • heliotropo
  • sanguinaria

German:

  • Blutstein
  • Heliotrop

Korean:

  • 헬리오트로프
  • 혈석

Thai:

  • หินชนิดหนึ่ง

Gujurati:

  • હેલિઓટ્રોપ

Mandarin and Traditional Chinese:

  • 鸡血石
  • 雞血石

Urdu:

  • بلڈ اسٹون

Further Reading / External Links

  • https://www.jtv.com/library/gemopedia/bloodstone
  • https://geology.com/gemstones/bloodstone/
  • https://www.minerals.net/gemstone/bloodstone_gemstone.aspx