BLOODSTONE, a green agate containing red flecks

VARIETY INFORMATION:

• VARIETY OF: Crypto-crystalline Quartz, SiO2
• USES: Gemstone and ornamental stone.
• COLOR: mostly green with red inclusions
• HARDNESS: 7
• CLEAVAGE: none
• CRYSTAL SYSTEM: none visible (actual crystals are microscopic)
• For natural Bloodstone mineral specimens see our For Sale or Sold lists

The red speckles in the green stone remind some people of drops of blood, leading to a Christian use where bloodstone represents the blood of Jesus. The stone has been used to carve scenes including the crucifixion, from whence came the alternate name, "the martyr's stone". A second alternate name, heliotrope, refers to the way some polished specimens reflect sunlight.

Bloodstone is the traditional birthstone for March, the Zodiac birthstone for Aries, and an alternate for both Aquarius and Pisces. It is associated with endurance.

Bloodstone is only one of several chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz) varieties. The primary varieties are as follows:

• Agate is a banded variety (sometimes with translucent bands)
• Bloodstone is green with red speckles
• Carnelian is yellow to orange
• Chrysoprase is green
• Flint is generally black with a fibrous microscopic structure
• Jasper is any colorful agate
• Onyx is black, white, or alternating black and white
• Sard is yellow to brown
• Sardonyx is banded, alternating sard and (usually white) onyx