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In addition to aquamarine, March听has a second birthstone: bloodstone. This is听a dark-green gemstone flecked with vivid red spots of iron oxide. Generally found embedded in rocks or in riverbeds as pebbles, primary sources for this gemstone are听India, Brazil, Australia and the United States.
Bloodstone is also called heliotrope, a word from the ancient Greek that means 鈥渢o turn the sun.鈥� Many believe it was probably named as such because if placed in water under the rays of the sun, it casts red reflections in the water. This was later exaggerated to say that the stone had the power to turn the sun itself red and cause storms.
Bloodstone is sometimes known by another name鈥攂lood jasper鈥攁lthough it鈥檚 actually chalcedony, which is a cryptocrystalline quartz. Bloodstone’s appearance is why it was associated with catching Christ’s blood at the foot of the cross, giving it religious significance. The stone was believed to stop and heal bleeding issues, so it was frequently worn as a ring or carved into a heart shape and carried as a talisman.
For those looking for鈥痝ood-quality bloodstone gems, a solid green color with visible veins of red is usually considered the best. It also comes in many shapes and cuts, including traditional cuts like听emerald,听oval, and听cushion.听
Bloodstone may not have the overt beauty of aquamarine, but many people value this gemstone for its symbolism and other properties.
Whether听purchasing听bloodstone as a gift for a March birthday or simply wanting to have a beautiful bloodstone piece of your own, it is an affordable way to enjoy a unique gemstone.听
The color of bloodstone can range from light to dark green, with subtle or prominent spots or stripes of red or rust. Most gemstones have very distinct light and dark color zones, so you may not want to be on the hunt for an evenly colored bloodstone. That may be a very difficult task, and the color gradient is part of the bloodstone’s distinctive look and unique charm.
Bloodstone can range from translucent to听nearly opaque. When cut and polished well, it can have a beautiful shine and luster, though the luster is different than other gemstones and will听generally appear听smooth or waxy.听
Depending on the size of the gemstone, it may be cut with facets into unique or traditional shapes. Smaller gemstones are often cut and polished into beads. They can also appear as a part of carvings, shapes (like hearts),听seals,听or cameos.听
Bloodstone looks particularly beautiful as a pendant or a beaded bracelet. Many people choose to听wear听it听as听an everyday piece of jewelry or small amulet, so be sure that the way it is set and mounted is durable and secure enough for heavier wear.
