Heliotrope Bloodstone & Heliotrope Plasma

Heliotrope Bloodstone & Heliotrope Plasma

Heliotrope, is also known as Bloodstone and Plasma. The word Heliotrope comes from the Greek Helio (Sun) and Tropos (Turn) which means Turn Towards the Sun. This is due perhaps to the manner the mineral reflects light. It alludes to the Heliotrope plant which turns towards the sun throughout the day and turns back to the east overnight to prepare for next sunrise.

Bloodstone is also known as Plasma. However technically, specimens with only yellow inclusions could be called Heliotrope Plasma. Heliotrope Bloodstone is the opaque, dark-green Chalcedony quartz with red spots.

The red spots are due to the presence of iron oxide, whereas the dark-green base is the product of chlorite or a mixture of minerals known as Hornblende. Due to the variant quantity of these minerals, the green can also vary in shade or be inconsistent throughout the gemstone.

Bloodstones are of silicon dioxide chemical composition with a hardness ranging from 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. This means that a pen knife or a copper coin will not be able to scratch a real Bloodstone but a steel nail will.

Bloodstones are translucent to opaque with a glass-like to resinous luster. They have a trigonal crystal structure.

Bloodstone is sometimes known as Blood Jasper. However, according to authoritative source such as Schumann's Gemstones of the World, it is stated that Bloodstone is not a Jasper.

According to a Christian legend, the red spots in bloodstone came from the body of Jesus when he was stabbed with a spear at the side. There was a green Bloodstone present at his feet that was stained with the blood of Jesus Christ. Bloodstone was known as The Martyr’s Stone, because it was the stone of choice to depict flagellation and martyrdom in Catholic Christianity.

Bloodstone is one of those gemstones whose history as a magical stone goes back to ancient Babylon, India, Egypt and Greece.

The Magical Leyden Papyrus written in Greek but found in the ancient city of Thebes, in Egypt, says that ‘the world has no greater thing than Bloodstone’ and then points in how to use this precious stone in all manners of magical rituals.

It was highly revered in the magical realms. The high priests and priestesses of the Egyptian Pharaohs used it in spells and recipes for protection.

It was used in ancient times as seals and amulets. It was crafted in signet rings and was even made into small cups.

The Louvre, Prado and British museums contain beautiful cups made in the 15th and 16th century by the Miseroni family; these cups were fashioned from Bloodstone.

Bloodstone was used as a powerful and effective treatment for hemorrhages and any blood disorders and detoxification.

Babylonian warriors wore Bloodstone amulets in battle as it was believed they could staunch a bleeding wound. For this reason, it was also called the Warrior’s Talisman.

The Aztecs used it to regulate blood flow. It was also used in the 1st century BC to help preserve health and to protect against deception. In powdered form it has been used throughout history as a medicine and in particular to help with bleeding.

Ancient Greek and Roman athletes wore Bloodstone to increase their strength and endurance.

In India, Bloodstones are used as medicine and as an aphrodisiac till this day.

It was believed that Bloodstone had supernatural powers to control the weather and the ability to cause an eclipse.

It was also believed to offer protection against the evil eye and in certain circumstances render the wearer invisible.

It had the gift of prophecy and was used in ancient Mesopotamia for divination purposes.

Heliotrope Plasma was highly esteemed in ancient times and was used to make powerful talismans. Heliotrope Plasma was also used a lot by the Gnostics to create their magical jewel-amulets.

Bloodstone is treasured and very well known for its magical properties since ancient times. It is mentioned by ancient writers such as Pliny the Elder, and in the Magical Leyden Papyrus. Also, by Albert the Great’s ‘Treatise on Minerals,’ and Damigeron’s de Virtutibus Lapidum or the Virtues of Stones.

Bloodstones should be cleansed and energized every few days if you are using it in healing. The best way to do this is by an earth-bathing. Dig a hole in a natural soil near your place, bury your Bloodstone in the soil and leave it a whole day and a whole night before pulling it out; then, you cleanse it with running water.

Bloodstones are often found near river beds as pebbles.

The major source of Bloodstones comes from India but they are also found in Australia, Madagascar, Brazil, China, the United States and Scotland. Madagascar provides the best in quality and quantity.