gemstone

Polished bloodstone (heliotrope)

Chalcedony, microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 6.5–7; dark green to nearly black, opaque, with red-brown hematite or jasper spots; vitreous to waxy luster; cryptocrystalline and without visible cleavage. The rounded, glossy surface indicates tumbling and polishing.

Identified September 4, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities and fractures, with iron minerals producing the red inclusions; commonly Cenozoic to older volcanic-hosted deposits. Major sources include India, Brazil, Australia, China, and Madagascar.

Uses & applications

Used for cabochons, beads, carvings, seals, and inexpensive jewelry; also collected as a lapidary material.

Geological facts

The name “bloodstone” traditionally refers to green chalcedony marked by red inclusions, historically associated with blood-like droplets. The pictured piece may also be sold generically as green jasper if its matrix is not pure chalcedony.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its opaque green-black body, scattered red spots, waxy luster, and lack of cleavage; it should not scratch easily with a steel knife. Exact identification requires microscopy or hardness/refractive testing.