The healing properties and magic of hematite, the meaning and jewelry of bloodstone

The black pearl among minerals, hematite stone is surrounded by numerous legends and myths. Red iron ore, bloodstone, was used in rituals and was considered a powerful amulet due to its similarity to blood. It was this stone that was used to make red cave paintings, and today it is the basis for the scarlet palette of colors. It is successfully used in many areas, industrial production of cast iron, to create jewelry masterpieces.

History and origin

This mineral has a very long and interesting history. In ancient times, it was believed that hematite beads could be found where a lot of blood had been shed - for example, at the sites of large-scale battles. Then they believed that the absorbed blood of the heroes would turn the water red if the “bloody” mineral was dropped into it.

The mineral received its modern name in the third century BC. It was invented by the Greek poet and philosopher Theophrastus, emphasizing the relationship of the stone with blood, because in his language “hematos” meant “blood”. In Egypt, bloodstone was considered the stone of Isis, the goddess of life on earth. He was credited with the ability to ward off demons.

The Indians rubbed themselves with ground hematite, and that is why they began to be called redskins (in fact, the natural skin color of this race is far from red).

Mirrors were made with the help of bloodstone, and medieval alchemists tried to obtain gold with its help.

In modern times, the stone was forgotten, and only in the seventies of the last century it was discovered that a hematite bracelet was able to normalize blood pressure. So the stone came back into fashion.

History of the stone

The special healing and magical properties attributed to the stone have been used since before our era. The ability to color water red and leave bloody traces when drawing made the mineral indispensable in the rituals of priests and soothsayers around the world. In Ancient Egypt it was used for protection against dark forces. In Rome and Greece, legionnaires wore it as a magical amulet and always took it with them into battle. The Indians of North America used the properties of imparting a red color to apply warlike designs; they used crushed powder from stone.

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Its use in jewelry flourished in ancient times. Jewelry served not only for aesthetic purposes; the magical properties of hematite protected the owner from disease and witchcraft. The mineral was the basis for creating mirrors; for magicians and sorcerers, such products were tunnels connecting the world of the living and the dead.

A unique mineral with a metallic luster was popular during the Middle Ages. Alchemy and magical rituals necessarily included the use of the mineral. The secret of the stone was to provide superpowers, the ability to recognize signs of fate, and influence the will of people. The patron planet Mars allows you to achieve success, subject to good intentions; for witchcraft, as well as black rituals, the stone has no power.

For many years, hematite was unjustly forgotten, until in the early 70s of the last century it returned, and the jewelry business was enriched with affordable ornamental material for creating jewelry.

Mineral deposits

Hematite
Large industrial deposits of hematite are located in the following areas:

1. Russia (in the Komi Republic, in the Irkutsk and Sverdlovsk regions, in Karelia).
2. Europe (in Switzerland, England, Czech Republic, Germany).
3. Asian countries (Mongolia, Iran, China).
4. Africa (in South Africa, Morocco, Algeria).
5. USA (Alaska and Michigan).
6. Latin America (in Mexico).
7. South America (in Brazil and Venezuela).
8. Ukraine.
9. Azerbaijan.
10. Kazakhstan.

Hematite deposits

Hematite deposits are quite widespread. High-quality samples of jewelry hematite are mined in the USA and Great Britain. Beautiful hematite roses are often found in the northern Urals. Hematites of Transbaikalia are distinguished by unusual shapes. Hematites found in Alaska are black in color and very shiny. They are cut like diamonds and become like black diamonds.

Physical properties of the stone

The stone can have a metallic sheen or be matte. There are also differences in density; the mineral can be hard, soft or have an average density. Before processing, the rock in the form of beads and inclusions has the following physical properties:

Crystal optical properties in thin preparations (sections)

In thin sections in transmitted light, blood-red (in the thinnest plates), orange-red, gray-yellow. Weak pleochroism: according to No, brownish-red; according to Ne yellowish-red. Single-axis (—). Light refraction is high, birefringence is very strong.

In polished sections in reflected light it is white with a slightly bluish-gray tint (in the absence of magnetite and other associated ore minerals - pure white). Reflectivity Ro (in%): for green rays 28.70; for yellow—26.15; for the Reds—25.03 (Ramdor, 1960). Bi-reflection is very weak, noticeable only at the grain boundaries: Ro is white, Re is gray-bluish-white. Hematites (titanohematites) containing FeTiO2 in solid solution have lower reflectivity, but stronger bi-reflection. The anisotropy in crossed nicols is distinct, especially in immersion; in a diagonal position, variegated color effects appear in faded tones. Internal reflexes are dark red (not always observed). Lamellar twins are very typical.

Types of stone

Hematite is a quite diverse stone. Its main types include:

• The red glasshead is the most common species in Europe. It was called the bloodstone because of its dark red color. Often this is the variety that is meant when talking about hematite stone.

Red glass head

• Iron mica is a rock with a scaly structure and a fairly dense crystalline structure. It is interesting for its oily shine, reminiscent of the shine of iron.

Hematite iron mica

• Specularite is a dense mineral with a silver-gray tint, noticeable in bright light. Quite often it contains inclusions of other rocks. It is sometimes classified as a type of iron ore.

Specularite

• Iron rose is a very beautiful and most expensive type of bloodstone. His records are collected in groups that resemble a rosebud. Jewelers use this mineral in jewelry more often than other types of hematite.

Hematite iron rose

• Hematite. A brown and very dense variety of the mineral. Used in iron smelting.

Hematite

• Martite (Mars stone) is the only type that has strong magnetic properties, which is why it is confused with magnetite.

Martit

• Hydrohematite is a mineral containing up to eight percent water. Forms clusters similar to tree buds.

Hydrohematite in adularia

There are other classifications of stone; there are really a lot of varieties. But these are the most common ones.

Hematite colors

Crushed hematite is always painted in a characteristic blood-red color. The color palette of large images begins with red-brown and ends with bright scarlet and cherry shades. The color of a hematite crystal, depending on the content and amount of impurities, can also vary from dark gray to black. Polished hematite has a characteristic bluish metallic tint.

Hematite healing properties

Hematite-bloodstone
In ancient times, the properties of the stone were attributed to hematite with the ability to influence blood flow and change its composition. It is not surprising that various cultures associated the gem with blood. There were many ways to use the healing properties of the mineral; it was used to quickly heal wounds and stop bleeding. Today, the beneficial properties of this amazing stone can be used regularly, increasing your energy potential with the help of jewelry.

Healing properties of hematite:

• normalizes both low and high blood pressure;
• promotes bone marrow regeneration;
• fights disorders of the genitourinary system, normalizes kidney function, restores reproductive abilities;
• considered a female stone, stops uterine bleeding, relieves painful sensitivity of the cycle, promotes normal pregnancy, increases lactation;
• improves metabolic processes, strengthens the body's protective properties;
• relieves nervous tension, normalizes sleep, charges with optimism;
• stress resistance increases, willpower strengthens, the influence of the “black diamond” helps to quit bad habits and addictions;
• the use of the mineral helps restore the functioning of vital systems;
• stops the growth of tumors and carcinogenic cells.

It exhibits its main healing abilities during the recovery period after operations, a course of treatment, or protracted illnesses.

The composition of the blood changes, the deficiency of microelements is replenished, and chemical parameters are normalized. It is useful to use hematite stone properties to support the liver, kidneys, spleen. The organs perform cleansing functions, removing toxins and free radicals from the blood.

Magic of stone

Hematite bracelet
Tribes of hunters and gatherers in the Stone Age used hematite as protection against evil witchcraft. Legionnaires in Ancient Rome took bloodstone on long journeys to protect themselves from injury and ambushes. Not jewelry was used as a talisman, but small figurines of good spirits carved from mineral.

In Rus', children's cradles were decorated with bloodstone. It protected children not only from evil spirits, but also from injuries, falls, and childhood illnesses. In villages, stories are still told about people who were able to avoid encounters with evil spirits thanks to hematite.

The magical country of Shambhala is associated with hematite - this is what they believe in Tibet. Monasteries are often inlaid with it to protect it from unworthy people, and bracelets of the same name are made from the mineral. To those who were able to conquer its power, the bloodstone grants the ability to maintain communication with the spirits of the dead.

Another meaning of hematite is to impart wisdom and the gift of a seer. A gem is capable of revealing to a person the secrets of the Universe. The bloodstone will help fortune tellers and soothsayers - the future will appear before them more clear, clear and definite. So jewelry with hematite will come in handy before a clairvoyance session.

The only advice is that for magical purposes it is best to set hematite in silver.

Names and hematite

• Raisa - for her hematite is a stone of happiness. Before wearing, place the stone on the table and turn on spiritual music. If heliotrope lies nearby, it will enhance the verbal and sound effect on hematite.
• Natalia. Bloodstone will calm Natalia’s excessive pride and heightened sensuality.
• Anna. Bloodstone will protect her from self-destructive emotions.
• Peter - hematite will “anchor” some of Peter’s adventurism.
• Vadim. It is recommended to wear jewelry with hematite in adulthood.
• Nikita. A mineral talisman will give him optimism.

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Talismans and amulets

To understand whether the bloodstone is suitable as a talisman, you need to hold it in your hands for several minutes. Having felt a surge of positive energy, there is no doubt that this particular stone will become a reliable friend who will fulfill your innermost desires.

What you need to know:

• A bloodstone worn as a talisman should have a frame made of silver or brass, since these metals help to maximize the capabilities of this stone.
• In order for a ring with hematite to bring luck and happiness, men should wear it on the index finger of their right hand, and women should wear it on their left hand.
• A hematite bracelet enhances sexuality, making its owner more attractive in the eyes of members of the opposite sex.
• Hematite, which imparts courage and courage, will be a good amulet for women and men whose work involves protecting the lives of other people (medics, military, rescuers, firefighters).
• Hematite, which is a symbol of motherhood, should be worn by expectant mothers in the form of a pendant: it will help both the mother and her child avoid dangerous injuries.
• A hematite bracelet is a good amulet that can save its owner from groundless fears and protect him from unwanted influence from the outside.
• Bloodstone can be used as a powerful amulet that can protect a sleeping baby.
• A hematite amulet, worn to protect against damage or the evil eye, is recommended to be carried with you for no more than 7 days. After this time, the mineral needs energetic cleansing.

Interesting facts about hematite:

Hematite gives its owner courage and bravery, which is why the stone is considered a talisman for men, especially for the military. In ancient times, a piece of hematite was sewn into clothes, placed in shoes, or made into a pendant for all men going to war. It was believed that such a talisman would definitely protect a warrior from death, and also make his enemies weak. Hematite talismans help women with professional growth and starting new things. Hematites are best suited for silver frames. Men are recommended to wear rings with it on the right index finger, women - on the left.

• The Indians used hematites to obtain a red pigment, which they applied to the skin of the face before going on the warpath. It was concluded that the warrior was brave and courageous, and returned alive.
• In ancient times, mirrors were made from shiny hematites. However, later a legend spread that such a mirror could take the soul of anyone who looked into it, and such mirrors fell out of popularity.

Jewelry with hematite and its prices

Hematite jewelry
Jewelry with stones was especially in demand during the Renaissance, later the demand for them fell and re-emerged in the 70s. It is inserted into rings, earrings, beads are used to make bracelets and beads, and amulets are cut out. You can buy bloodstone in stone stores or order from online merchants.

Hematite, which is both a jewelry and an ornamental stone, is often used to make carved items (mirror frames, boxes), miniatures (most often animal figurines) and all kinds of jewelry:

• Before falling into the hands of a master, the mineral is first ground and then polished for a long time, radically changing its color and acquiring an indescribable mirror shine.
• Rings, necklaces and bracelets are made from processed hematite, inserts for brooches, rings and earrings are cut out, and it is often used for inlaying household items. Given the heaviness of the mineral, it is not used to create massive jewelry.
• Most often, hematite is processed as a cabochon, giving it the shape of a regular semicircle on a flat base.
• When creating men's jewelry, they resort to simple cutting and engraving.

Hematite ornamental stone is inexpensive, so the frame for it is made from equally affordable materials:

• become;
• cupronickel;
• titanium;
• metal imitating silver;
• inexpensive jewelry alloys.

The price of hematite is low, since there are quite a lot of deposits of the rock. You can buy the stone for the following price:

• The cost of hematite set in silver is 1-2 thousand rubles.
• For a rarer type of bloodstone (for example, an iron rose), the buyer will pay from 8 to 11 thousand rubles.
• The cost of tumbling (small stones similar to river pebbles) of hematite ranges from 40-70 rubles per copy.
• For a pendant made of bloodstone, the seller can ask from 200 to 400 rubles.
• The cost of a ring carved from bloodstone (without frame) is from 350 to 500 rubles, and a necklace – from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles.

Other uses of stone

Hematite sculpture
Krovavik is a popular raw material and ornamental material. It is used:

• for interior decoration;
• as a means of traditional medicine;
• for smelting cast iron (from iron ore);
• in the form of a mineral pigment for the manufacture of paints (tempera) and leads for red pencils;
• as a raw material in the production of oilcloth, enamels and linoleum;
• as an ornamental stone for creating carved miniatures.

Product care

The gem is very fragile due to its structure, so hematite jewelry must be carefully protected from any damage. It is better not to drop bloodstone or even rub it on hard surfaces (for example, jewelry with gems). Be sure to remove the mineral if you plan to clean or play sports.

Hematite products absorb negative energy very strongly. Therefore, they need to be cleaned from time to time. To do this, you can hold the stone under running water for several minutes and then dry it with a soft cloth.

Authentication

Hematite-goethite glass head
A hematite amulet will bring good luck and health to its owner only if an unscrupulous manufacturer does not produce a ceramic fake instead of a stone.

Stone counterfeits are carried out using pressed iron oxide powder, metal ceramics, or a synthetic analogue. It is not difficult to distinguish a natural crystal from a fake, thanks to its inherent special property of leaving behind a crimson streak.

How to check the authenticity of the bloodstone:

1. You need to rub the mineral over any unglazed porcelain surface; a characteristic red line should remain on the chip of the product.
2. The easiest way to check is by weight; hematite is an iron ore that will be significantly heavier than any ceramic.
3. The stone is not magnetic, despite its high iron content. Bloodstone is quite dense, heavy, heats up and cools down quickly.

If you look at a stone through a magnifying glass, even the smoothest models will contain inclusions of other crystals or brown abrasions. Before purchasing jewelry, it is worth remembering that bloodstone is not suitable for making very small items, as it is quite fragile.

How to distinguish real hematite from a fake

Natural hematite is widespread, but it is still more difficult to find and process than to counterfeit, which is why fakes appear on the market.
To check the authenticity of hematite, pay attention to the weight of the stone. The natural mineral contains a high percentage of iron, and therefore it is quite heavy, unlike fakes.

In addition, to identify fakes, a stone is passed over the light, rough surface of porcelain or ceramic product. A natural specimen will leave a blood-red mark on it.

Artificial hematite

There are two types of artificial hematites sold under brand names:

• hematin;
• Hemalike.

The first of them - hematin - known to jewelers under the term “magnetic hematite”, is an alloy made of steel and nickel and chromium sulfides. This material, obtained in US laboratories, is an identical analogue of bloodstone, having the same specific gravity, color and line color. The only difference is that hematin is attracted even by a weak magnet.

To obtain hemalayk, crushed particles of natural hematite are mixed with an adhesive composition, after which the resulting mass is pressed under high temperature conditions. Gemalayk lends itself well to the cutting process and looks like natural bloodstone.

Despite the high quality of synthetic analogues, they never took root in the Russian market due to the low cost of natural hematite.

Mineral Change

Generally stable in the oxidation zone. The transition of clearly crystalline hematite into hydroxides is rarely observed (for example, limonitization of martite in Krivoy Rog ores). The transition of hydrohematite to hydrogoethite is quite common. When the oxidation environment changes to a reduction one, hematite transforms into magnetite with the formation of pseudomorphs of magnetite after hematite - musketovite. Mushketovite is known in contact-metasomatic deposits (Ural, Tajikistan, etc.) and in hydrothermal deposits, which are characterized by the deposition of sulfides after hematite (Kutimskoye deposit in the Perm region, etc.); Along with magnetite, maghemite can be formed from hematite. During the process of diagenesis, in the presence of reducing agents (organic matter), it can transform into siderite, pyrite and leptochlorites (in the CIS - rocks of Donbass, Second Baku and the Yerunakovo sequence of Kuzbass). In addition to magnetite, in pseudomorphs of hematite the following are observed: pyrite, siderite, chlorites, hydrogoethite (limonite), in some cases - chalcopyrite, rutile, cassiterite, manganite, etc.

Hematite and zodiac signs

Before using bloodstone, you need to know its astrological properties, which horoscopes it is combined with and who should avoid it.

Bloodstone is considered especially useful for some earth signs. So that it can be worn by representatives of “water” signs, it is recommended to put it under running water for 10 minutes, then wipe it off and apply it to the body so that it takes over the energy of the owner.

To find out who is suitable for a crystal from the signs of the air element, you need to squeeze it tightly in your hand; in the absence of irritation on the skin and the occurrence of unpleasant emotions, the stone can be used.

Astrology

The mineral has a surprising effect on different zodiac signs. The stone is of particular importance for representatives of Scorpio, Cancer and Aries. It has a beneficial effect on personality traits, reveals life-changing opportunities, and protects against troubles, illnesses and disasters. It gives confidence, determination, increases fortitude, promotes internal harmony, and balances excessive emotionality.

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Who is not recommended to wear according to their zodiac sign:

• Pisces;
• Virgos;
• Gemini.

To check who is suitable, you should take the stone in your palm and hold it for a few minutes. The magical mineral will not leave you indifferent; if positive emotions arise, you can use the stone to enhance energy. The zodiac sign does not always play a decisive role. People born on the 9th, 18th and 27th should pay attention to the black mineral.

What stones does hematite go with?

If with regard to metals jewelers have no doubts about combinations and the favorite tandem is the pair hematite - silver, then with stones the situation is more complicated.

1. It is most harmoniously combined with stones: aventurine, diamonds, amethysts, beryl, turquoise, heliotrope, hyacinth, emeralds and chrysoprase.
2. The following combinations do occur, but you need to treat them with caution. It is possible, but not advisable, to combine bloodstone with: aquamarine, rock crystal, garnet, moonstone, opal, ruby ​​and jasper.

Favorable time to buy

Heart made of hematite
To enter into resonance with a stone, it is necessary to take into account the rhythms of the lunar month.

It is advisable to purchase a product made from a natural mineral on the day when it has the lowest energy potential.

For hematite, such a day is the 17th lunar day, when you should make a purchase. Then, up to the 3rd lunar day, the antiphase day, you need to take the stone in your hands every day to build a strong energetic interaction.

Bloodstone is not suitable for everyone, as follows from esoteric sources. Everyone is free to make their own choice regarding the purchase of this mineral. It has a relatively low price and is easy to maintain. Jewelry created by a jeweler will make its owner stand out against the general background. Hematite is also suitable as a material for interior decoration elements.

Interesting Facts

1. In 2004, having discovered bloodstone on Mars, scientists put forward a hypothesis according to which the bloody color of this planet is explained by the high content of this particular mineral in the Martian soil.
2. The most valuable are jewelry made from a rare variety of mineral that has a beautiful blue tint and is mined from a single deposit located in Kazakhstan.

Sources and literature

1. V.V. Dobrovolsky. Geology, mineralogy, dynamic geology, petrography. - Moscow: VLADOS, 2001. - P. 69-70. — 320 s.
2. M. I. Kadenskaya. Guide to practical classes in mineralogy and petrography. - Moscow: Education, 1976. - P. 192-193. — 230 s.
3. Victor Sletov. Mineral HEMATITE and its varieties.
4. Hematite. Since ancient times // “Minerals. Treasures of the Earth": Weekly publication. - 2011. - ISSN 2075-0587.
5. https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hematite // ru.wikipedia.org “Hematite”.
6. Iron shine // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.

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