Bloodstone
Dark green opaque chalcedony with distinctive red, orange, or yellow spots from iron oxide inclusions (hematite, goethite). The green-with-red-spots pattern is visually diagnostic and rarely confused. Primary modern source is India; also Australia, Brazil, and China. Color is natural; treatments are rare. Sometimes sold as jasper in trade — jasper is fully opaque chalcedony with high impurity content.
Physical & Optical Properties
Related: Quartz Varieties
Key Differentiators
- Dark green opaque chalcedony with distinctive red/orange spots — diagnostically useful visual appearance
- Red spots caused by iron oxide (hematite/goethite) inclusions
- No other common gem material replicates the green-with-red-spots pattern
- Hardness 6.5–7; SG 2.58–2.64; RI ~1.535
- Primarily used in cabochons, carvings, and intaglios
Common Simulants
- Green glass with inclusions: Isotropic; gas bubbles; SG lower; red spots would be surface-painted not internal. Rare simulant — bloodstone appearance is difficult to fake convincingly.
- Dyed green jasper with surface spots: Examine red spots under 10× — natural spots are irregular, three-dimensional iron oxide concentrations, not surface paint.
Price Context
Price context is approximate. GemID is not an appraisal tool. Results are indicators, not certified valuations.
About Bloodstone
Dark green opaque chalcedony with distinctive red, orange, or yellow spots from iron oxide inclusions (hematite, goethite). The green-with-red-spots pattern is visually diagnostic and rarely confused. Primary modern source is India; also Australia, Brazil, and China. Color is natural; treatments are rare. Sometimes sold as jasper in trade — jasper is fully opaque chalcedony with high impurity content.
Identifying a bloodstone? GemID walks through these tests in order — RI, SG, fluorescence, and more.
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