Bloodstone

(Ancient March Birthstone)

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.

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.

Hardness:

6.5 - 7

Chemical Composition:

SiO2 with impurities

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.

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.

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.

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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