Bloodstone, also called heliotrope, is dark green chalcedony with red spots of iron-rich jasper. The red flecks are part of the stone, not added color.
Quartz (chalcedony and jasper) · Chalcedony
Bloodstone
Heliotropo (piedra de sangre)
- Palette
- Green Red
- Mined in
- India, Brazil, Australia, China, Russia, South Africa, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Canada, United States
- Hardness
- Mohs 6.5–7.0 ?
- See-through
- opaque
- Known since
- Prehistoric
- Named for
- red spots that look like drops of blood
- Also sold as
- heliotrope, Indian bloodstone, ematille
- Intention
- Strength Protection
- Looking for
- Courage Grounding Willpower
- Water
- Fine with water and mild soap
- Dye or finish
- Bloodstone is generally not known to be altered; the beads are usually sold natural.
Not in our pieces now
THE NIMBLE ONES
In Scottish Gaelic lore, bloodstones formed when the blood of giant faerie-folk called the Nimble Ones fell from the red part of the aurora.
32,000 YEARS
Chalcedony, the stone family bloodstone belongs to, was used for tools in Central Australia as far back as about 32,000 years ago.
PLASMA
A close cousin of bloodstone, called plasma, is green chalcedony with yellow spots instead of red ones.
What it is
Bloodstone is dark green, fine-grained quartz scattered with red to rust-orange spots. The green is chalcedony and the red flecks are iron-rich jasper; it is a natural mixture, polished to a waxy shine.
What gives it its color
Bloodstone is dark green chalcedony, likely colored by tiny inclusions of chlorite, amphibole and pyroxene, speckled with red spots of iron oxide (hematite).
Where it comes from
Most bloodstone today is mined in India, mainly in the Deccan Traps, with smaller supplies from Australia, Brazil, China, Madagascar and a few western U.S. states.
In history
Roman writers of the first century AD described bloodstone as leek-green stone streaked blood-red, found in Ethiopia, Africa and Cyprus. Greek and Roman athletes carried it as a talisman for success, and a Christian tradition read its red spots as blood that fell at the crucifixion.
What's said about it
In crystal lore, bloodstone is a stone of courage. It's said to ground people and lend them some personal power when they face something frightening.
In older gem lore, heliotrope was said to turn sunlight red in a bowl of water, and Greek and Roman athletes carried it as a talisman for success. It's the traditional birthstone for March.
People carry it in a pocket or wear it as a bracelet or pendant.
How people wear or keep it: On the wrist, in a pocket, as a pendant, or held in the dominant hand.
In crystal practice
In the crystal tradition, bloodstone is paired with the root and heart chakras, so practitioners rest it there during meditation or lie down with it in place for a few quiet minutes. Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: on the wrist, in a pocket, as a pendant. People reach for it when they want courage, grounding, willpower, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
The chakra and star sign this stone is usually matched with. These are popular traditions, not facts about the stone.
ChakraRoot, Heart
ZodiacAries
BirthstoneMarch
ElementEarth
Also calledheliotrope, Indian bloodstone, ematille
Care
- Hard enough for daily wear, though not tough against sharp knocks.
- Clean with mild soapy water and a soft cloth; rinse and dry.
- Avoid strong chemicals and long soaking.
- Store apart from harder gems so the polished surface is not scratched.
How to tell what you have
- Bloodstone is dark green quartz (jasper or chalcedony) with red flecks of iron oxide, and it is hard (Mohs 6.5 to 7).
- Similar-looking stones carry other names: African bloodstone has red jasper, gray chalcedony and pyrite, and Australian dragon's blood has red jasper and green epidote.
What sets the price
Price follows how deep the green base is and how clearly the red spots show; when red is sparse or other colors dominate it is called something else, and the best material is usually cut as cabochons rather than beads.
Questions people ask at our table
What is bloodstone?
Bloodstone, also called heliotrope, is green chalcedony with red spots of jasper colored by iron oxide. The name comes from the red flecks, which look like drops of blood.
Is the red added or dyed?
No, the red spots are part of the rock. Look for dull green with irregular red or rust flecks. Very even, vivid coloring or bubbles points to dyed stone or glass.
Are African bloodstone and dragon's blood the same?
No. African bloodstone, or setonite, is red jasper with gray chalcedony and pyrite, and dragon's blood is red jasper with green epidote. They are different stones sold under similar names.
Where does it come from?
The classic source is the Deccan Traps of India. Brazil, Australia, China, Russia and the United States also produce it.
What do you carry that looks similar?
Green spot jasper, brecciated jasper and red leopard jasper share the green-and-red look, though they are jaspers rather than bloodstone.
Not in our pieces right now
Stones we do carry that are close to it are listed under related stones.
Stay in the loop
Sign up to hear about new product drops, upcoming events, and the latest from Peritik. No spam, just the good stuff.