Bloodstone

Bloodstone is a dark green variety of cryptocrystalline quartz (chalcedony) speckled with red iron oxide spots that resemble droplets of blood. Also called heliotrope, it has been carved into seals, amulets, and signet rings since Babylonian times and remained a favorite intaglio stone through the Roman and Renaissance periods. The classic material reads deep forest green to near-black with scattered crimson flecks, though some specimens show orange or yellow inclusions instead.

Bloodstone Origin and Key Properties

India's Deccan Traps region, particularly the Kathiawar Peninsula in Gujarat, supplies most of the world's gem-grade bloodstone. Additional deposits work in Western Australia, Madagascar's Antsiranana Province, Bahia in Brazil, parts of China, and the United States (notably Oregon, California, and Wyoming). The Scottish island of Rùm produced a darker, less spotted variety that fed European lapidaries for centuries.

Chemically, bloodstone is silicon dioxide (SiO₂) with the green color coming from chlorite or amphibole inclusions and the red spots from hematite or red jasper. It registers 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, has a specific gravity around 2.58 to 2.64, and is opaque with a waxy to vitreous luster. The fracture is conchoidal, and there is no cleavage, which makes it well suited to carving.

Bloodstone is one of the few colored stones that is rarely treated. Most material on the market is natural, with no dyeing, heating, or stabilization. Buyers should still be aware that "African bloodstone" sold in the trade is often a separate material — typically a green and gray seftonite without the red iron spots — so check the description before buying.

Bloodstone in Sterling Silver Jewelry

Because the stone is opaque, cabochon is the standard cut, with oval, round, and cushion shapes dominating. Beads, tumbled pieces, and flat carved plaques also turn up regularly, and old European workshops still produce signet-ring intaglios. Faceted bloodstone is rare and generally used only for novelty pieces.

Sterling silver (.925) suits bloodstone for two practical reasons: the cool white metal sharpens the contrast between the dark green body and the red spotting, and silver's neutral tone keeps the focus on the stone rather than competing with it. At SilverRush Style, most bloodstone jewelry — pendants, rings, earrings, and bracelets — falls in the $30 to $120 range, with larger statement pendants and cuff bracelets running higher.

Care and Cleaning

Clean bloodstone with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth or brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, harsh detergents, and prolonged exposure to bleach or acids, which can etch the surface or loosen iron-rich spots. Store pieces separately in a soft pouch to prevent harder stones (topaz, sapphire, diamond) from scratching the surface.

Frequently Asked Questions