Chalcedony, not jasper

Heliotrope is fine‑grained quartz with a mostly uniform green body and scattered red inclusions. Many pieces look opaque at first glance but reveal a gentle translucency on thin edges—classic chalcedony behavior.

Names in circulation

• Bloodstone — modern common name (green with red spots).
• Plasma — green chalcedony with little to no red.
• “African bloodstone” — often a jaspery rock with red/cream/green, not the classic chalcedony type.

Silica gels take the stage

Heliotrope precipitates from silica‑rich fluids in cracks and cavities of volcanic and sedimentary rocks. As gels crystallize to chalcedony, tiny greenish inclusions (chlorite/actinolite‑like) are trapped, tinting the base.

Red notes arrive late

Iron‑bearing fluids later infiltrate micro‑veins and pores, leaving hematite/goethite dots and streaks. Some spots bleed into wisps; others sit as sharp, paint‑drop flecks.

Why the edges glow

Chalcedony’s microfibrous texture scatters light softly; thin sections transmit a tea‑green glow, while the iron‑oxide spots remain opaque, heightening contrast.

Palette

• Bottle to forest green — the classic base.
• Pistachio — lighter plasma tones.
• Crimson — hematite/goethite spots and streaks.
• Fog‑grey halos — subtle diffusion around spots.
• Ink traces — occasional dark seams or magnetite flecks.

Best‑loved material shows a rich green and well‑spaced, clean red spots—enough punctuation without turning into confetti.

Pattern words

• Spatter — scattered dots, small and crisp.
• Drop — fewer, larger crimson drops on calm green.
• Veinlet — thin red threads, often along healed cracks.
• Brecciated — angular fragments healed with red/white seams.
• Plasma field — nearly solid green with ghostly hints of red.

Photo tip: Diffuse top light for honest greens, plus a small backlight behind the lower edge to reveal chalcedony’s inner glow while keeping reds punchy.

Spot anatomy

Hematite spots tend to be sharp‑edged with slight halos; under strong magnification they can show granular texture or sit along tiny healed fractures.

Base texture

The green body reads as even microfibers (chalcedony). A thin edge will transmit light; if it stays fully opaque, you may be in jasper territory.

Treatment clues

Dye can pool in pores/micro‑cracks and look neon; natural greens skew forest/bottle, not grass‑neon. A discreet acetone swab on an unseen area should not lift natural color.

African “bloodstone” / green jasper

Often a jasper (microcrystalline quartz but fully opaque) with red/yellow/cream mosaics. Pretty—but less edge translucency than true heliotrope.

Dragon blood “jasper”

Usually a green epidote + red piemontite rock from South Africa. Different hardness/feel and a more granular look—distinct from chalcedony.

Ruby‑in‑zoisite (anyolite)

Green zoisite with red ruby spots and black hornblende; tougher, higher SG, and crystalline texture under a loupe—no chalcedony glow.

Moss/Tree agate

Green dendrites in white chalcedony; patterns are feathery rather than dotty red on green.

Quick checklist

• Deep green chalcedony with edge translucency?
• Discrete red iron‑oxide spots (not pink, not magenta)?
• Waxy luster, quartz hardness? → Heliotrope (bloodstone).

Where it shines

Classic heliotrope has long come from India (Deccan basalt provinces). Additional sources include parts of Brazil, China, Australia, and the Czech Republic. Each district toggles the green depth and the “peppering” density of the red.

Stories people tell

Antique intaglios and signet rings favored bloodstone for its fine grain and contrast. Medieval lapidaries credited it with stopping bleeding and turning sunlight red in water. Today it’s remembered as a traditional March stone, an earthy counterpoint to aquamarine’s sea‑glass cool.

Everyday care

• Clean with lukewarm water + mild soap; soft brush; rinse and dry well.
• Avoid harsh chemicals/solvents on dyed or filled strands; most natural pieces are worry‑free.
• Store separately; quartz is tough but can scuff softer neighbors and be scuffed by corundum/diamond.

Jewelry guidance

• Excellent for cabochons, signets, beads, and carvings. Flat signet faces show patterns boldly.
• Pairs well with yellow gold (old‑world warmth) or silver/steel (graphic contrast).
• Consider open backs on pendants: thin edges glow and the reds pop.

On the wheel

• Slab to balance spot placement—center a few bold drops rather than many tiny specks.
• Pre‑polish 600→1200→3k; finish with cerium or alumina on leather/felt. Light pressure keeps domes even.
• Watch for hidden micro‑veins along red threads; they can undercut if rushed.

Edge‑light test

Hold a slice to a flashlight: the green edge glows while the red dots stay opaque. It’s a perfect micro‑lesson in chalcedony vs. iron oxide.

Pattern chooser

Lay out three cabs—spatter, drop, and veinlet—and ask viewers which reads calmest or boldest. You’ll see preferences split right down the middle (designers love “drop”).