Bloodstone (Heliotrope)

Bloodstone, also known as Heliotrope or Piedra Del Sol, is an opaque cryptocrystalline Quartz and member of the Chalcedony family. The green color found within this stone is caused by tiny inclusions of Chlorite and Pyroxene, while the red is small concentrated areas of iron oxide minerals, most commonly Hematite. The word Heliotrope derives from the Greek word meaning “to turn the sun”. In today’s age, the most abundant deposits of Bloodstone are found in India, China, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the United States. In Indian culture, Bloodstone is considered an aphrodisiac.

Within the culture, Bloodstone would be ground up into a fine powder and sold for a high price. The price of this ground-up powder would oftentimes even be sold for a higher price than the raw Bloodstone material. This makes top-quality Bloodstone that much more valuable. Bloodstone has been revered through different cultures and history. The red spots were said to be a representation of Christ’s blood and thus used as an amulet for Christianity.

It was often used to check for blood hemorrhages. It is said that the famous Italian painter Giorgio Vasari was afflicted by a violent hemorrhage and a piece of bloodstone was placed between his shoulder blades to stop the ailment. When this stone is placed into water it will add a reddish hue that will be intensified when the sun’s rays hit it. Ancient cultures believed that it was able to turn the sun itself, blood red. The Leyden Papyrus, written in Greek at the end of the 3rd century A.

D. states that Bloodstone will give the wearer whatever he may ask for and “whatever thou wearer says, he will be believed. Whoever bears this stone, which is a gem, and pronounces the name engraved upon it, will find all doors open, while bonds and stone walls will rent asunder”. - Kropatchek, 1907