AFRICAN BLOODSTONE

A Brief History of African Bloodstone

African bloodstone is a type of jasper that gets its distinctive coloring from the presence of iron oxide. It’s found worldwide, but some of the finest examples come from South Africa and Madagascar. 

This beautiful green stone has been used for everything from carved figurines to regal jewelry for centuries. It was even once believed to have special powers!

One legend says that African bloodstone is the shattered remains of the plummeting Holy Grail. Another claims that the stone formed from the drops of Christ’s blood that fell to the ground during his crucifixion. 

While these stories are almost certainly fictional, they attest that African bloodstone has been prized for centuries for its beauty and purported magical properties. 

One of the earliest known uses of African bloodstone dates back to ancient Egypt. It was used in everything from amulets to carved statues. The stone was also famous in Rome and Greece. Many early examples of bloodstone have been found in Roman ruins.

During the Middle Ages, African bloodstones fell out of favor for a time. It was seen as a stone of bad luck and was associated with death and violence. 

Thankfully, this dark period didn’t last long. By the Renaissance, African bloodstone was again appreciated for its beauty and unique properties.

It was during this time that African bloodstone became known as heliotrope. People believed that the stone could reflect sunlight like a mirror. This belief led to the widespread use of bloodstones in jewelry, especially signet rings. It was also used to make cameos, which were popular among the nobility.

Heliotrope continued to be popular during the Victorian era. It was often used in mourning jewelry as it was seen as a stone of comfort for those grieving the loss of a loved one. African bloodstone is still used in jewelry today, although it’s not as common as it once was.

Modern Uses for African Bloodstone

Despite its long history, African bloodstone is still highly sought-after by mineral collectors and jewelers. Its deep green coloration and unique flecks of red make it a stunning addition to any collection, while its relatively low cost makes it an excellent choice for fashion jewelry.

It’s also said to possess healing properties, making it a popular choice for use in everything from worry stones to massage rollers.

Raw African Bloodstone

Metaphysical Properties of African Bloodstone

African bloodstone is said to possess several metaphysical properties. These include:

• Promoting courage and strength

• Easing anxiety and stress

• Increasing mental clarity

• Balancing the mind, body, and spirit

• Aiding in the manifestation of desires

If you’re seeking a stone to help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals, then African bloodstone may be a perfect choice.

How to Use African Bloodstone

If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits of African bloodstone, there are a few different ways that you can use it.

One of the simplest ways to work with bloodstone is to carry it throughout the day. You can also place it on your desk or in another space where you spend a lot of time. This will help to infuse those areas with the stone’s positive energies.

Bloodstone can also be used in meditation. Hold the stone in your hand and focus on your breath as you allow yourself to relax. Visualize the stone infusing you with strength, courage, and clarity. You may also want to recite positive affirmations while you meditate.

If you’re looking for a specific way to use African bloodstone energies, try using it in a prosperity or manifestation ritual. Write down your goals on a piece of paper and place the bloodstone on top of it. Focus your intention on what you want to achieve and let the stonework do its magic.

If you’re looking for a mineral with beauty and history, look no further than African bloodstone! This rich green stone with red Flecks has been prized by cultures worldwide for centuries, making it a must-have for any collector. It’s also highly sought-after by jewelers and healers alike, meaning there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this fascinating stone.

Bloodstone

The Stone of Blood allows the control of oneself and one’s emotions. It gives motivation, helps to see things more clearly and will help you with decision-making. Discover all the virtues of this stone in lithotherapy…

Bloodstone History

Bloodstone, or heliotrope, is a deep green, earthy mineral with flecks of red in color. During Antiquity, this jewel was highly sought after and highly appreciated, as it was considered the most beautiful of jewels. It can also be found under the name of “Christ” or “Sun” stone. 

Purity of blood, life, vitality, strength, passion and courage emanate from this mineral, which is why often this gem serves as a talisman, and seems to have a mystical, even magical, power. 

Protection for the wearer. During Antiquity and the Middle Ages, it was venerated and nicknamed “bringer of rain”, because it was seen as a jewel allowed to predict storms and to control rain and wind in order to protect crops from droughts or save sailors and ships from storms.

Green and brown jasper were considered the most powerful minerals thanks to hematite. You should know that it was not only used by Europeans: the American Indians used it first for the dowsing of earth and water. 

In particular, Jasper has been used extensively to heighten earth sensitivity.

It has often been used in a divinatory way, as a mineral oracle, to understand the sounds of wind, rain or thunder. The legend says that it is possible to get what you want by asking politely and repeating yourself until the request is granted.

The name of this jewel, heliotrope, comes from the Greek: “helios”, for “sun” and “trepeinï”, for “to turn”. It is a mixture of iron, quartz and chalcedony. 

The other name of bloodstone was given by Pliny the Elder who named it first because of the red spots appearing on the gem once oriented towards the solar star and immersed in water. 

For a long time, bloodstones were immersed in water and pointed towards the sun to perform rites of divination and weather control, to predict and control storms.

The gem was also often used in jewelry, especially to make glyptic jewelry that contained esoteric or votive inscriptions. In the Middle Ages, it was associated with the blood of Christ: Christians wore it as a talisman and thought it could make people invisible. 

Others believed that the heliotrope was created when blood from Jesus fell on plasma at the foot of the Cross. This is why this jewel has often been nicknamed “stone of the martyr”. Damigueron, a Greek philosopher, thought that he protected the wearer from deception, which is why he is often represented in scenes of martyrdom or flagellation. At that time, it was also used in medicinal remedies: apothecaries ground it into powder and mixed it with honey and eggs to relieve swelling. 

It could also relieve wounds and bleeding, in the form of a spreadable paste. Finally, apothecaries believed it could suck the venom from a snakebite when it was applied again as a paste to the wound. 

Nowadays, it is again used to make jewelry: cabochons, pendants, bracelets, necklaces, etc., but also for the creation of small statuettes and small utensils.

Origin and composition of bloodstone

Its coloring is a rather deep greenish and not glassy like an emerald, but earthy. This green is dotted with small red spots. 

Unlike jasper which is made from a mixture of detrital quartz and touches of chlorite and sometimes other minerals like hematite, it has a plasma base. 

It is mainly found in mines in Australia, China, India (where the original Deccan deposit is located), Cyprus, Ethiopia, Germany, Great Britain, Scotland, Brazil and the United States. 

It forms in fibrous crystals in a spherical arrangement, so it is mainly microcrystals that are at the origin of this gem, which does not give a very large product. It has not been assigned to any birth month, so it is not a birthstone.

Virtues and properties of bloodstone in lithotherapy

It allows those who use it to gain control over themselves, their emotions and their psychology. It therefore acts greatly on the mind: it also helps to overcome difficult moments in life such as demotivation, discouragement or uncertainty when faced with a difficult choice to make. It therefore allows you to focus on yourself and regain energy and strength. 

Courage emanates from this gem and gives an impression of stability and protection: it warms the heart and allows you to make choices with a clear conscience. It also makes it possible to refocus the auric bodies by allowing rooting in the earth. It repels negative entities and soothes spirits.

The virtues and properties of bloodstone on the physical level

In lithotherapy, beyond the mental, on the physical and health level, it allows relief, because it is often used to treat disorders related to blood circulation. It also relieves skin lesions. 

It can have an effect on permanently dilated veins and varicose wound disorders. During a massage, it can be used near the bladder to soothe pain related to the urinary tract. 

More generally, it strengthens the immune system, detoxifies the kidneys and liver, purifies the bone, marrow and rebalances sugars. 

The pains associated with menstruation and the inconveniences associated with the bodies of menopausal women can also be soothed by this gem.

Finally, what can be added is that the purifying energy associated with the dynamism considerably helps the wearer in the event of health problems, fatigue and loss of form.

It is of great help more generally for the purification of the lymph, the blood circulation and the heart. 

It also helps the proper functioning of the heart system and circulation, while strengthening the immune system, which helps to prevent those who use it from all mild contamination and everyday problems.

Have you ever seen a rich green mineral with flecks of red running through it and wondered what it was? If so, then you’ve probably seen African bloodstone. 

Also called heliotrope, this mineral has a fascinating history that makes it a must-have for any collector of minerals and crystals. Read on to learn more about African bloodstone and its connection to ancient royalty and modern jewelry.