A variety of dark green Chalcedony spotted with red markings created by Iron oxides, Bloodstone is also known as Heliotrope, a name which comes from a combination of the Greek words for 'sun' and 'turn' because the Ancient Greeks believed it could turn the rays of the sun red and if placed in water, show the sun as a blood red image. They also believed along with the Romans that athletes would gain endurance by wearing it. When placed in water in direct sunlight, Bloodstone does indeed appear to be blood red.
Once used as an amulet in the belief that it could stop bleeding, Bloodstone was also believed to be able to turn the sun red and bring about thunder and lightning. It is said to give the wearer clairvoyance whilst preserving faculties and health. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed athletes would gain endurance by wearing it.
Its red spots were once likened to blood hence it was considered to be appropriate for use in the early church for carved and engraved sacred objects and the medieval Christians often used it for carving scenes of the crucifixion. One legend regarding the origin of Bloodstone says it was first formed when drops of Christ's blood dripped and stained some Jasper which was laying at the foot of the cross.
Bloodstone was well known to the Aztecs who used it to regulate blood flow and even today it is finely powdered and used as both a medicine and aphrodisiac in India.
It's an intense healing gemstone which is excellent for cleansing the blood and is also said to have the ability to banish evil and negativity and to direct spiritual energies. As well as heightening the intuition and increasing creativity, Bloodstone is very grounding and can help to keep undesirable influences away. It stimulates dreaming and is an excellent revitalizer. To ensure a peaceful sleep, it is advised to place a Bloodstone in a bowl of water next to the bed.
With heat treatment, the green background in Bloodstone turns grey and the red markings change to black so unlike many other gemstones, it is rarely heat treated.
Mined predominantly in India, Australia, Siberia, Scotland, Brazil and the United States, it alternates with Aquamarine as the birthstone for March and is graded 7 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness so it's an excellent choice for use in all kinds of jewellery.
Our recommendation for further reading on Bloodstone can be found here:
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Our collection of Bloodstone jewellery
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