What on Earth is Bloodstone?

Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a dark green form of jasper flecked with red spots, and those spots are where it gets its name. It is a common stone found around the world, and it is the traditional birthstone for March. Here is its history, where it is found and how it is used.

Despite the twisting and turning that is involved with classifying this gem, bloodstone is easy to spot due to its dark base and red speckles. These red spots resemble blood, which is where the stone gets its name.

The History of Bloodstone

The first aspect of the history of bloodstone comes from its true name. Heliotrope comes from the Latin heliotropium and thus the Greek word heliotropion. These words are a combination of helio, referring to the sun, and tropos, referring to plants. This word speaks to how flowers turn towards the sun as they grow. This definition, referring to how the stone itself reflects light, was given by Pliny the Elder, a 1^st century naturalist and philosopher.

In the 4^th century, Damigeron (a famed writer who focused on stones) wrote that bloodstone was used for magical purposes, including the abilities to create weather, preserve youth and cause solar eclipses. This source of superstition dates back to the time of Pliny, who wrote that magicians would use this stone to turn invisible, and this power is later referred to by the Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio in his famous work The Decameron.

In the 13^th century, Albert the Great (a Catholic bishop and canonised as a saint in 1931) referred to bloodstone as the stone of Babylon. He described the stone as such because it was believed to have magical properties which the Catholic church saw as not of God.

Finding Bloodstone

Bloodstone can be found around the globe and is actually quite a common stone. The main source of bloodstone is India. Other countries that contain large amounts of bloodstone include Brazil, China, Australia, Armenia, Bulgaria and Scotland.

In the United States, bloodstone can be found in Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington -- essentially along the West Coast. The West Coast has silica-rich soil and groundwater which contributes to the formation of bloodstone.

Bloodstone in Crystal Lore

Despite the scary-sounding name, bloodstone is traditionally seen as a protective stone. In crystal lore it stands for courage and strength of will.

Bloodstone has long been associated with courage and endurance. These are cultural associations, not effects on the body.

Bloodstone is an attractive stone with a rich history and many traditional associations. Aside from being a gemstone associated with March birthdays, it's a beautiful inclusion in jewelry pieces. Now that you know more about it, you can better appreciate this speckled gemstone.