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crystals,
gems and minerals
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Bloodstone
(Alternate birthstone for March)
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Scientific:
Bloodstone is a dark
green stone with red flecks. It is more
properly known as green Chalcedony and it is
a form of silica quartz. This form of quartz
is masses of very tiny quartz crystals,
which form in lumps. There are two types of
bloodstone: plasma and heliotrope. Plasma is
very deep green, opaque, with very little or
no red in it, and may have yellowish spots.
Heliotrope is lighter colored, somewhat
translucent, and has red in it.
Bloodstone was treasured in ancient times
and long served as the birthstone for March.
This attractive chalcedony quartz is also
known as Heliotrope because in ancient times
polished stones were described as reflecting
the sun: perhaps the appearance of the gem
reminded the ancients of the red setting sun
reflected in the ocean. In Germany,
bloodstone is still known by the name of
heliotrope. |
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Bloodstone
can be found mixed in with other minerals,
or as pebbles along riverbeds. It is most
commonly found in India, Brazil, Uruguay,
USA, and Australia.
Bloodstone is considered a semi-precious
stone. It is used for carvings, cameos,
seals, men's rings or other ornamental
objects. Today, finely powdered bloodstone
is used as a medicine and aphrodisiac in
India. This is one of the reasons it is
difficult to find fine specimens of
bloodstone on the market. Also, India had
terrible earthquakes during the last 2 years
in the bloodstone mining regions of that
country. |
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Variety
of: Chalcedony
Chemical Composition: SiO2 Silicon Dioxide
Hardness: 6.5 - 7 |
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History and Lore:
Bloodstone has found it's
way throughout history connected with the
Christian religion. The bloodstone is said
to represent the blood of Christ Jesus. The
legend of the origin of bloodstone says that
it was first formed when some drops of
Christ's blood fell and stained some jasper
at the foot of the cross. Bloodstone gems
have been embellished with a thorn-crowned
head of Jesus so placed that the red of the
bloodstone simulate drops of blood trickling
down his hair and face. Such gems are
especially revered as Christian amulets. |
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Because of
the legend, bloodstone became a favorite
material for carving Christian art. One of
the most famous pieces of art carved from
bloodstone was done around 1525 by the
Italian artist Matteo del Nassaro. Titled
"The Descent from the Cross," the statue was
so carefully carved that the spots of red on
the bloodstone were in the perfect spots to
represent the wounds of Christ.
Medieval Christians often used bloodstone to
carve scenes of the crucifixion and martyrs,
leading it to also be dubbed martyr's stone.
A beautiful example of carved bloodstone
with the seal of the German Emperor Rudolf
II can be seen at the Louvre museum in
Paris. |
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Myth:
During the Middle Ages, bloodstone was
believed to have healing powers. The stones
were crushed into powder and mixed with
honey and egg whites. In this form the
bloodstone was believed to cure tumors and
stop bleeding. Alchemists also used
bloodstone to cure blood poisoning as well
as draw out the poison from venomous
snakebites.
The Leyden Papyrus declared that "The world
has no greater thing than bloodstone", it
opens all doors for its owner, breaks down
the walls of prisons and averts many
disasters.
In the plague of 1576, a Franciscan Friar
gave pieces of bloodstone to Mexican Indians
to stop their hemorrhaging.
In 1675, Robert Boyle wrote of an
acquaintance that cured nose bleeds by
giving patients bloodstone to hold. |
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Metaphysical:
Bloodstone is said to be
able to heal all blood ailments. It has been
used for everything from stopping
hemorrhaging to curing anemia.
Bloodstone is a good meditation stone. It
suggests a connection between the red
lifeblood of animals and the nurturing
powers of the green plant world. It is
particularly grounding, and can bring its
wearer courage.
Bloodstone is said to be a powerful tool for
warding off the evil eye as well as driving
away night demons, and guarding against
deception. It is considered an enabling
stone that brings the possessor the things
he desires. |
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Teresa's Rock of the Week, formerly Gail's Rock of the Week |
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