Bloodstone
Bloodstone is a type of jasper (an opaque, fine-grained variety of chalcedony) characterized by a green base with scattered red spots. Because it was historically mined in Heliopolis, ancient Egypt, it is also known as "heliotrope." It is characterized by a base of plasma containing chlorite, with distinct red spots caused by iron oxide.
Bloodstone with a beautiful green base and red spots
General Information
| English Name | Bloodstone |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | Kesseki (Bloodstone) |
| Chemical Formula | SiO2 |
| Crystal System | Hexagonal |
| Hardness | 7 |
| Specific Gravity | 2.75 |
| Transparency | Opaque |
Characteristics & Varieties
- A Type of Jasper: Features a plasma base containing chlorite with scattered iron oxide red spots.
- Fancy Bloodstone: Varieties with banded white, yellow, or red patches on a green base.
- Eye Stone: A type of eye stone where the scattered spots look like colorful eyeballs.
Origin, Aliases, Treatments, & Similar Stones
Major Sources: Heliopolis in ancient Egypt (now depleted), India, etc.
Aliases: Heliotrope (derived from its origin in ancient Heliopolis, Egypt).
Treatments: None.
Similar Stones: Verdite (a green stone containing chrome mica; it has a lower hardness and can be scratched with a needle).
Note: High-quality specimens are considered to have a bright green base color with distinct, small, and evenly distributed red spots.