Difference between revisions of "Bloodstone"

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[[File:Bloodstone box-SC327497.jpg|thumb|Bloodstone box<br>MFA# 2013.1740]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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[[File:Heliotrop (Blutjaspis) Wikipedia.jpg|thumb| Heliotrope (bloodstone)<br>Image credit: Ra'ike]]
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A semiprecious stone composed of dark green [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=chalcedony chalcedony] with flecks of red [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=jasper jasper] that were thought to resemble drops of blood. Bloodstones, when submerged in water, give a reddish reflection. These stones are found in Asia, the Hebrides Islands of Scotland, Ethiopia, Egypt, India, and western Europe. Bloodstones were not commonly used in ancient times although occasional cylinder seals have been found (Odgen 1982). During the Middle Ages, bloodstones were used in sculptures to represent flagellation. Bloodstones are currently used as gemstones in jewelry.
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A semiprecious stone composed of dark green [[chalcedony]] with flecks of red [[jasper]] or [[hematite]] that were thought to resemble drops of blood. Bloodstones, when submerged in water, give a reddish reflection. These stones are found in Asia, the Hebrides Islands of Scotland, Ethiopia, Egypt, India, and western Europe. Bloodstones were not commonly used in ancient times although occasional cylinder seals have been found (Odgen 1982). During the Middle Ages, bloodstones were used in sculptures to represent flagellation. Bloodstones have been used as gemstones in jewelry and ornamental pieces.
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
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heliotrope; chalcedony
 
heliotrope; chalcedony
  
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== Other Properties ==
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== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
  
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Fracture = conchoidal.  Luster = vitreous to waxy.  Streak = white.
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* No visible crystals
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* Fracture = conchoidal, uneven, splintery
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* Luster = waxy to vitreous
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* Streak = white
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* Fluorescence = generally inert
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* Pleochroism = absent
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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|-
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! scope="row"| Composition
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| SiO2
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Mohs Hardness
 
! scope="row"| Mohs Hardness
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| 7.0
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| 6.5-7.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Density
 
! scope="row"| Density
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| 2.6
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| 2.59-2.61 g/ml
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|-
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! scope="row"| Refractive index
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| 1.53 - 1.54
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|-
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! scope="row"| Birefringence
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| 0.004
 
|}
 
|}
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== Additional Information ==
 
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J. Ogden, ''Jewelry of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications, New York, 1982.
 
  
 
== Comparisons ==
 
== Comparisons ==
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[[media:download_file_463.pdf|Properties of Common Gemstones]]
 
[[media:download_file_463.pdf|Properties of Common Gemstones]]
  
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==Resources and Citations==
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* Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
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== Authority ==
 
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* Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
 
* Jack Odgen, ''Jewellery of the Ancient World'', Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
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* A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962  Comment: used from 2200-1200 BC in Egypt
 
* A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962  Comment: used from 2200-1200 BC in Egypt
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* Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliotrope_(mineral) Heliotrope (mineral)] Accessed Dec 2022
 
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
 
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "bloodstone." Accessed: 2 Dec. 2004.
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* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "bloodstone." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service.  2 Dec. 2004 .
 
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* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
 
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
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* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
 
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
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* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
 
* ''The American Heritage Dictionary'' or ''Encarta'', via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
  

Latest revision as of 11:22, 19 December 2022

Bloodstone box
MFA# 2013.1740

Description

Heliotrope (bloodstone)
Image credit: Ra'ike

A semiprecious stone composed of dark green Chalcedony with flecks of red Jasper or Hematite that were thought to resemble drops of blood. Bloodstones, when submerged in water, give a reddish reflection. These stones are found in Asia, the Hebrides Islands of Scotland, Ethiopia, Egypt, India, and western Europe. Bloodstones were not commonly used in ancient times although occasional cylinder seals have been found (Odgen 1982). During the Middle Ages, bloodstones were used in sculptures to represent flagellation. Bloodstones have been used as gemstones in jewelry and ornamental pieces.

Synonyms and Related Terms

heliotrope; chalcedony

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • No visible crystals
  • Fracture = conchoidal, uneven, splintery
  • Luster = waxy to vitreous
  • Streak = white
  • Fluorescence = generally inert
  • Pleochroism = absent
Composition SiO2
Mohs Hardness 6.5-7.0
Density 2.59-2.61 g/ml
Refractive index 1.53 - 1.54
Birefringence 0.004

Comparisons

Properties of Common Gemstones

Resources and Citations

  • Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
  • Jack Odgen, Jewellery of the Ancient World, Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
  • A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962 Comment: used from 2200-1200 BC in Egypt
  • Wikipedia: Heliotrope (mineral) Accessed Dec 2022
  • C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
  • Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "bloodstone." Accessed: 2 Dec. 2004.
  • Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
  • Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  • The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

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