heliotropejasper

Heliotrope jasper is a green jasper variety known for its resemblance to the traditional bloodstone, though terminology varies. It typically features a green chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz) matrix with red or reddish-brown iron oxide inclusions, providing a speckled or blotchy appearance. The stone is usually opaque and displays a waxy to dull luster.

Composition and formation are characteristic of chalcedony varieties. The green body consists of microcrystalline quartz, while the red colors arise from iron oxide minerals such as haematite incorporated during formation. Heliotrope jasper forms in silica-rich environments where chalcedony precipitates around iron-bearing materials, leading to the distinctive color mix seen in many specimens. The resulting patterns can range from widely distributed red spots to more uniform green with fine red speckling.

Locality and trade notes indicate that heliotrope jasper is quarried in several regions around the world. Common sources include India and Brazil, with other producers reporting material from Australia and parts of North America. In the gemstone market, it is sold for decorative use, including cabochons, beads, and small carvings, often marketed for its eye-catching contrast between green and red.

Care and value considerations reflect its status as a relatively durable, yet affordable, gemstone option. With a Mohs hardness around 6.5–7, heliotrope jasper can be cut and polished for jewelry, though it should be protected from sudden impact and stored separately to avoid scratching. Value depends on color intensity, pattern, size, and overall quality, with more vivid contrast generally commanding higher prices.

See also: bloodstone, jasper, chalcedony.