Bloodstone Gemstone Beads

These bloodstone beads are dark forest green with speckles of vermillion. Some of the beads have veins of yellowish tan or of milky, translucent quartz. Additionally, an occasional bloodstone bead is composed entirely of red jasper, injecting a shot of contrasting color into each strand of this gemstone.

In the Middle Ages, bloodstone was often used to carve scenes of the crucifixion and/or martyrdom, thus this gemstone was dubbed the “martyr's stone”. (read more)