Bloodstone

Bloodstone, the another birthstone for March, was known by the ancients as Heliotrope. Christian myth places it at the foot of the cross where Jesus was crucified. Bloodstone is a symbol of moral valor.

Bloodstone is a dark green chalcedony with red iron oxide inclusions, which early peoples referred to as heliotrope. It has been regarded as a magical stone by many cultures. The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians used bloodstone for seals. In the Christian tradition, it is said this stone was at the foot of the cross where Jesus was crucified.

Although it is not in high demand as a jewelry stone, bloodstone makes fine beads and settings for men & acute rings. In addition to jewelry, bloodstone is used for making cups, vases, and statuettes. Two notable busts of Jesus Christ were carved from bloodstone, and are found in the French Royal Collection in Paris and the Field Colombian Museum in Chicago. The French carving is known for its realism, rendered so finely that the red spots look like real drops of blood.

Both early and modern practitioners of crystal healing have used bloodstone to treat blood ailments. This gemstone is said to symbolize moral courage, and to improve the ability to choose the right path. It is worn by those who are ill, even when there is no hope for recovery, because it helps one to face the truth and to move on from there.

Bloodstone is the alternative birthstone for the month of March. The main source of bloodstone is India, but deposits are also found in Australia, North America, Germany, and Scotland.