Bloodstone and jasper are two different types of gemstones that are often confused with one another. While they share some similarities, bloodstone is distinct from jasper in several key ways.
What is Bloodstone?
Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a variety of quartz that features flecks of red jasper scattered throughout dark green chalcedony. The "blood" in its name refers to the red spots, which resemble drops of blood. Bloodstone has been used ornamentally for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Babylon. It was particularly popular in Victorian Britain, where it was used to make seals and other jewelry.
Bloodstone is a microcrystalline quartz, meaning it has tiny crystals only visible under magnification. It rates about 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it is relatively durable. The exact mineral composition of bloodstone can vary. In addition to chalcedony and jasper, it may contain small amounts of chlorite, hornblende, and magnesite.
The red spots that give bloodstone its name are jasper inclusions. Jasper is an opaque and finely grained quartz that comes in many colors. The jasper inclusions in bloodstone are red due to trace amounts of iron. When cut and polished, these iron-rich bits contrast beautifully with the translucent green chalcedony base.
What is Jasper?
Jasper is a variety of quartz with an opaque texture and splashes of color. It is typically red, yellow, brown, or green. The color variations are due to mineral impurities like iron and hematite. Jasper can form in massive habit, occurring as entire boulders or cliffs. It also occurs in smaller tumbled stones.
Jasper is divided into subcategories based on its colors and patterns. For example, picture jasper features striking color variations that form landscapes or scenes when cut. Ocean jasper contains circular or orbital patterns in shades of blue, green, and cream that resemble waves. Red jasper simply refers to jasper with a solid red coloration.
While jasper comes in many forms, it always contains microgranular quartz and has an opaque, waxy luster. Jasper rates about 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It is usually found in large sedimentary deposits. Jasper has been used ornamentally and ceremonially for thousands of years across many ancient cultures.
The Differences Between Bloodstone and Jasper
While bloodstone contains inclusions of red jasper, it has distinct properties from jasper as a whole:
- Bloodstone is translucent green, while jasper is fully opaque.
- Bloodstone contains chalcedony, while jasper does not.
- Jasper can occur in reds, yellows, browns, and other colors, while bloodstone is specifically green with red inclusions.
- Bloodstone rates slightly lower on the Mohs hardness scale than pure jasper.
So, bloodstone is a type of layered quartz containing jasper material. But jasper itself encompasses many forms of opaque quartz outside of bloodstone. The red jasper flecks are a key ingredient that distinguish bloodstone from other green quartz and chalcedony gemstones. While related, bloodstone stands uniquely apart from jasper.
