mineral

Tumbled bloodstone (heliotrope)

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 6.5–7 Mohs; dark green to blue-green, opaque, with rusty red-brown hematite or jasper inclusions; waxy to vitreous luster and no visible cleavage. It is cryptocrystalline quartz with conchoidal fracture, here shaped by tumbling.

Identified August 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities or fractures in volcanic rocks, incorporating iron minerals; most deposits are Phanerozoic, with age varying by locality. Common sources include India, Australia, Brazil, Madagascar, and the United States.

Uses & applications

Used as a cabochon, bead, carving, tumbled stone, and ornamental material; historically associated with seals and amulets. Common polished specimens are inexpensive.

Geological facts

Bloodstone is a variety of dark green chalcedony; the red spots are not blood but iron oxides, chiefly hematite. The photographed piece appears polished and rounded rather than naturally weathered.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque green chalcedony body, scattered red inclusions, very fine texture, and glass-scratching hardness; distinguish it from jasper by its smoother, more translucent-looking quartz texture. Typical localities include Deccan-region India and Western Australia.