Bloodstone: heliotrope, history, nature and care

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Bloodstone (French: jaspe sanguin), also called heliotrope, is a dark green chalcedony with red spots of hematite. History, real nature, symbolism and care.

Key points

Colour	dark green to blackish green, with red or yellow spots
Nature	also called heliotrope: green chalcedony, sometimes called jasper, spotted with red
Mineral family	quartz with microscopic grains (SiO2); the green is due mainly to chlorite, the red to hematite inclusions
Hardness (Mohs)	6.5 to 7
Density	about 2.6 to 2.7
Known deposits	India (Deccan traps, historic deposit), Australia, Brazil, Cyprus, Scotland, Ethiopia
Origin of the name	heliotrope: Greek helios ('sun') and trepein ('to turn')
Meaning of the word 'jasper'	considered a misuse by some authors, since heliotrope is a chalcedony; the word also sometimes designates red jasper
Traditional correspondences	root or heart chakra, earth element, depending on the authors

What is bloodstone?

'Bloodstone' (jaspe sanguin in French) is the common name for heliotrope. It is a variety of chalcedony (quartz with microscopic grains, SiO2) of a dark green, spotted or patched with red. The green comes mainly from minerals such as chlorite; the red comes from inclusions of hematite (iron oxide), hence the image of drops of blood on a green leaf. It is hard (6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, density about 2.6 to 2.7), with a rounded fracture and a vitreous lustre. The page heliotrope presents the stone under its scientific name.

The word 'jasper' is debated. Some sources, such as the French article on heliotrope, consider this usage a misnomer, since the stone is a chalcedony, more translucent than a jasper; others describe the material as an opaque jasper or a translucent chalcedony. Remember that 'bloodstone' designates the same stone as heliotrope in most shops. See also chalcedony.

A stone with a long history

Heliotrope has been known since antiquity. Its name comes from the Greek helios (sun) and trepein (to turn): Pliny the Elder reports, in his Natural History, beliefs about the way it reflected or changed the light of the sun, and about its use by magicians. In antiquity it was used to engrave seals and intaglios, small votive objects and magical inscriptions. Boccaccio alludes to it in the Decameron, in a story where a character believes it makes one invisible.

In the Middle Ages, a Christian tradition linked the red spots to the blood of Christ on the cross, which gave the stone a use for devotional objects depicting scenes of martyrdom. A legend says that Roman soldiers wore it to stop bleeding; this is a legend, with no medical value. The historic deposit is that of the Deccan traps in India, from which the 'Indian heliotrope' is still mined.

Do not confuse it with

Name	What it is
Heliotrope / bloodstone	green chalcedony with red hematite spots
Red jasper	jasper uniformly red, with no green background
Setonite, 'Dragon's blood'	other green and red stones containing red jasper (Africa, Australia)
Moss agate	green agate with moss-like inclusions, without red spots

Some shops also call simple red jasper 'bloodstone': read the description or ask for a photo.

Traditional symbolism

The green and the red have given the stone associations with vitality, courage, perseverance and rootedness in nature. In Christian tradition it carries the memory of the Passion; in antiquity it was linked to the sun.

These are traditions and symbols. No study shows any effect on blood, circulation or health, despite its name. It does not replace medical advice.

Traditional correspondences

Area	Correspondence cited
Chakra	root, or heart
Element	earth
Signs	Pisces and Aries (the month of March, in the traditional list of birthstones)
Keywords	vitality, courage, perseverance

Birthstone lists differ widely. See the root chakra and the origin of the chakras.

How to use it

As a tumbled stone: a green speckled pebble to hold or to place on a desk.
In beads and bracelets: understated, it is easy to wear (bracelets).
As a cabochon, signet ring or seal: the hardness of 6.5 to 7 allows everyday use (jewellery guide).
As an engraved object: heliotrope has been used since antiquity to engrave seals and small objects.

Care and cleansing

Cleaning: lukewarm water, mild soap, soft brush, then a cloth.
Sunlight: harmless for a natural stone.
Salt: possible on a polished pebble, but rinse afterwards.
Acids and solvents: to be avoided, especially if the stone is dyed.
Knocks: hard but brittle; store it separately.
Symbolic cleansing: smoke, sound, moonlight (guide).

Recognising a real stone

Sign	More likely natural	To question
Green	dark green, uneven, sometimes greyish	bright, uniform green
Red spots	irregular, brick red, scattered	spots too regular, as if painted
Hardness	scratches ordinary glass	scratches easily: another material
Appearance	vitreous to greasy polish	plastic or glass

Heliotrope is most often sold natural, but the name is sometimes given to simple red jasper or to other stones. We have not found a source documenting frequent imitations. See testing a stone, real or fake stone and our commitments.

How to choose

Heliotrope is affordable. Look for a deep green and red spots with good contrast, and an even polish. Old engraved pieces and fine Indian stones cost more. Ask whether the seller is selling heliotrope or simple red jasper.

Pairings: with heliotrope (the same stone), red jasper, garnet or green aventurine.