Bloodstone - The Birthstone for March

If you are lucky enough to have a birthday in March there are two birthstones associated with this month: Aquamarine and Bloodstone.

Both gemstones look very different but each share a similar symbolism of preserving or enhancing the health.

Bloodstone comes in a variety of colours from green to dark-green and is often flecked with vivid red spots of iron oxide.

Bloodstone is also called heliotrope, a word from the ancient Greek that means “to turn the sun.” Many believe it got its name because of an ancient ideas about how minerals reflect light. In fact, some believed that the sun itself would turn red if this stone was put into water.

This ancient gemstone was used by the Babylonians to make seals and amulets and was believed to have healing powers — especially for blood disorders.

Many other ancient cultures believed bloodstone had magical powers, with some references to its ability to heal dating back to 5000 BC.

The Egyptians prized bloodstone because they believed it helped them to defeat their enemies. They also believed it increased their strength or made them invisible.