How to Buy Bloodstone Jewelry

Bloodstone, the birthstone of March, is so named because its red jasper spots were thought to be Christ's blood caught when the stone lay at the foot of the cross. Once used to carve scenes of martyrdom, bloodstone is found in various forms of jewelry.

Instructions

1. Know where to find bloodstone. Most bloodstone comes from the Kathiwar Peninsula in India, but deposits also exist in Australia, Brazil, China and the United States.

2. Recognize bloodstone when you see it. While the spots in the stone are red or rust-colored from the iron oxide in the jasper, the stone itself is usually a dark green, opaque chalcedony quartz.

3. Grade bloodstone according to its appearance. The best jewelry-grade bloodstone is solid green with deeply saturated color and highly visible red spots. However, most pieces have only tiny red spots, while some pieces have no spots at all. Most bloodstone is treated to a highly polished finish to enhance its value.

4. Look for common styles of bloodstone jewelry. Bloodstone is often cut into round or convex (cabochon) beads to make necklaces and pendants; in the past, it was carved into elaborate seals and crucifixion scenes.

5. Be aware that many people buy jewelry of bloodstone for metaphysical properties. Bloodstone is thought to cure blood disorders and seal wounds. The stone supposedly can renew relationships and bring courage, calm, rational thought, abundance and good fortune to its wearer. Its use in powder form in Indian folk remedies is why gem-quality bloodstone is so hard to find.

Tips & Warnings

• Bloodstone is also known as heliotrope, perhaps because in polished form it can resemble the reflection of the sun setting over the ocean.

Resources

• Buy jewelry with bloodstone from Kai Silver.