bloodstone

American  

[bluhd-stohn] / ˈblʌdˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a greenish variety of chalcedony with small bloodlike spots of red jasper scattered through it.

---

bloodstone British  

/ ˈblʌdˌstəʊn /

noun

1. Also called: heliotrope.  a dark-green variety of chalcedony with red spots: used as a gemstone

---

Usage

What does bloodstone mean? Bloodstone is a dark green gemstone with red flecks. It ranges from semi-translucent to opaque.Bloodstone is also called heliotrope. It’s considered a semiprecious gem, which is a label applied to a class of gems that have a commercial value that’s less than that of stones labeled precious, such as diamonds.Bloodstone is one of the birthstones for the month of March, the other being aquamarine. It is associated with the zodiac sign Aries.Example: Her birthday is in March, so I’m getting her a bloodstone pendant.

Etymology

Origin of bloodstone

First recorded in 1545–55; blood + stone

Example Sentences

Except during the hand-washing that has taken on its own ritual qualities during the pandemic, she never removes her mother’s lucky bloodstone signet ring.

From New York Times • Apr. 14, 2020

As the first anniversary of the nightclub shooting approached, Amber Granada woke up at 5 a.m. to her husband Josh searching, angrily, for a bloodstone bracelet.

From Salon • Jun. 23, 2018

Look for interesting mixtures too, such as the gorgeous lettuces in Wild Garden Seed’s Jewel Box Mix, with “small-leaf, densely heading plants with hearts of ruby, emerald, bloodstone and topaz.”

From Washington Post • Feb. 21, 2017

An equities trader in Manhattan who was born and raised in Germany, Mr. von Brand, 26, had outgrown a small gold signet ring set with a deep-green bloodstone.

From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2010

Sunnysides has a soda fountain counter, which is speckled bloodstone red with chrome trim and has a row of round swivel-seat stools screwed to the floor along beside it.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood