Colors
- Dark to lighter green with red or rust spots or stripes; solid green with visible red is valued most
Browse other gems by color: Green
Where Bloodstone comes from
- India
- Brazil
- Australia
- United States
Bloodstone meaning and history
The name: Heliotrope comes from ancient Greek, meaning "to turn the sun".
Its red spots led to a link with Christ's blood at the cross, and it was believed to stop bleeding.
It was often worn as a ring or carved into a heart talisman.
Meanings and powers attributed to gems are history and folklore. We report them; we do not claim a stone can do anything.
How to clean and care for Bloodstone
AGS advises a durable, secure setting for everyday pieces such as pendants and bracelets. GIA does not publish a bloodstone cleaning guide, so we give no cleaning advice for it.
Compare Bloodstone
Frequently asked questions
What is Bloodstone?
A dark green chalcedony (a quartz) with red spots of iron oxide. Also called heliotrope or blood jasper.
What month is Bloodstone the birthstone for?
March. It shares the month with Aquamarine.
What does Bloodstone symbolize?
Its red spots led to a link with Christ's blood at the cross, and it was believed to stop bleeding. It was often worn as a ring or carved into a heart talisman. These are traditions and history, not claims about what the stone can do.
Sources
- AGS: Bloodstone (what it is, colors, sources, history)
- American Gem Society: Birthstones (birthstone months)
Checked October 16, 2026.