|
Bloodstone Cabochons
Bloodstone, green jasper dotted with bright red spots of iron oxide, was treasured in
ancient times and served for a long time as the birthstone for March. This attractive chalcedony quartz is also known as heliotrope
because in ancient times polished stones were described as reflecting the sun: perhaps the appearance of the gem reminded
the ancients of the red setting sun, mirrored in the ocean.
Medieval Christians often used bloodstone to carve scenes
of the crucifixion and martyrs, for which reason it was also dubbed the martyr's stone. According to the legend about the
origin of bloodstone, it was first formed when drops of Christ's blood fell and stained some jasper at the foot of the cross.
A beautiful example of carved bloodstone with the seal of the German Emperor Rudolf II can be seen at the Louvre in Paris.
Even
today, finely pulverised bloodstone is used as a medicine and aphrodisiac in India. Bloodstone is mined in India, Australia,
and the United States.
|
|
|
| Click on photo to enlarge in new window. |
|
These are commercially cut baroque cabs from India. Most of them have very good red markings and they measure approx.
30x40. Some may have minor dents on the backside.
|
$21.00 per Dozen
|
|
|
|
| Click on photo to enlarge in new window. |
|
These round commercially-cut cabochons come from India and measure approx. 34 to 36 mm. Some may have minor dents
on the backside. Great bargain!
|
|
|
