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Roger Weller, geology instructor                                        

wellerr@cochise.edu
Quartz Family Gemstones-by Audrey LaClair
                            
                              Bloodstone

          Bloodstone, also known as Heliotrope, is dark green jasper and has red spots from iron oxide.  Bloodstone is part of the Chalcedony family.  Bloodstone is used for ornamental objects and often as a seal in men’s rings. 

          Bloodstone can be found in India, which is the major source, China, Australia, South America.  In the USA it is mostly found in Wyoming. 

          The red spots from bloodstone were once thought to be drops of Christ’s blood during the Middle Ages, and that the stone held special powers.  The spots were thought to cure bleeding.  Bloodstone was referred to as martyr’s stone because Medieval Christians often used the stone to carve the crucifixion and martyrs. 

           Bloodstone is said to help with calming.  It is great for grounding and centering.  It lessens anxiety and confusion, and bring increasing energies for organization and adaptability, as well as many other qualities.

Physical Properties

Chemical Composition and Name: SiO₂ - Silicon Dioxide

Hardness: 7

Specific Gravity: 2.65-2.66

Refractive Index (R.I.): 1.543-1.552 to 1.545-1.554

Bi-refringence: 0.009

Optic Sign: Positive

Optical Character: Uniaxial

From (http://www.24carat.co.uk/bloodstoneframe.html).

References:

http://www.jewelrymall.com/stones/bloodstone.html

http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/bloodstone.html

http://www.gemhut.com/bloodstn.htm

http://www.wiccanway.com/wwdivpen007.html

http://www.24carat.co.uk/bloodstoneframe.html

http://www.juliesjewels.com/bloodstone.htm

http://www.sobrietystones.com/resources/GemBook/Stones/meanings_gemstones_bloodstone.htm