In this article we will talk about the properties of heliotrope. Having learned more about its meaning for people of different professions and zodiac signs, you can decide for yourself whether it is worth buying it. You will also learn about the history of this amazing gem and how to spot a fake.
History and origin
The history of heliotrope is interesting and has several theories and legends about its origin. The stone is of Asian origin : it was first found in India.
Later, the mineral was taken to Europe, where it became even more popular. For example, in Babylon they believed that if you boil a gem with a certain set of herbs, you can get a very thick smoke. Such smoke can cover the Sun.
And in Ancient Egypt, heliotrope had another magical property: a person with an amulet made from this stone could open any door.
Stone from legend
But the most famous story of the origin of the mineral is considered to be the legend associated with its unusual appearance.
According to legend, people believed that Golgotha was covered with heliotrope . And when the crucifixion of Christ happened there, scarlet blood sprinkled the stone. Because of this, it received such a color with brown and bright red inclusions and many medicinal properties.
Heliotrope has many names related to its unusual color.
One of the names of heliotrope is connected with the same story - Stefan's stone. Other names:
- Eastern Jasper;
- “Bloody” stone;
- “Meat” agate;
- “Bloody” jasper;
- Babylon stone.
Structure and habitat
First, let's talk about the appearance of the mollusk. A durable, inflexible shell completely covers the mollusk and has a small opening for a limb. With its help, the animal pushes off and moves along the seabed.
The mollusk lives at a depth of up to 30 m. Its length is from 6 to 35 cm. The basis of the shell is calcium carbonate.
The shape resembles an ear - flattened, with a wide curl. Therefore, the people called the mollusk abalone.
This structure helps the animal survive in the ocean with constant waves and strong currents. A flat shell is easier to wash with water.
The shell is covered with a horn-like protein substance, conchialin. Inside there is a mother-of-pearl substance. It consists of organic and mineral substances.
Thanks to such components, the internal contents of the mollusk split light and shimmer brightly in the sun.
Physico-chemical properties of heliotrope
Although the stone is called “bloody” jasper, in terms of its physical and chemical properties it is not one. Heliotrope is dark green mineral belonging to the chalcedony group Its base is silicon oxide, so it is hard (up to 7 on the Moss scale ).
The color of heliotrope can vary from dark green to greenish-blue, and inclusions can be either bright red or dark brown. The stone has a pale glassy luster but is opaque.
Minerals have such different tones and patterns that it is impossible to find two identical
How to distinguish a fake?
The amazingly colored gem has always been dreamed of being counterfeited and sold as original; craftsmen are scammers. It is believed that there is no point in this case. Heliotrope is inexpensive and of little value. But false traders are trying to sell cheap plastic on the market instead of gems.
- Check shine. The shine of natural rock is amazingly beautiful. It is modest and changes when you turn and get caught in the light. If there is no shine or it does not resemble a glass surface, it is a fake.
- Correctness of forms. It is difficult to find two parts of the material that completely repeat each other. The internal pattern and surface pattern, even on a small piece, is similar, but not identical. It is almost impossible to make stones identical in shape and color.
Masters warn that even paired objects are similar only upon inattentive examination. A detailed study of the figure will show their differences.
Varieties and colors
The color of a mineral can vary over a wide range because the chemical composition of stones in different deposits differs from each other. It is impossible to find even two absolutely identical minerals. Some of them are more like chalcedony, while others are more like jasper.
The most common color of heliotrope is greenish , but blue-green is also found. In any order, the stone has inclusions of yellowish, orange, red and purple. They can take the form of spots, stripes or blots with jagged edges. If the stain is of an even darker shade, then it is inclusions of hematite .
Sometimes the mineral's appearance is compared to a photograph of the starry sky. The inclusions on the dark shades of the stone look like distant galaxies and stars.
The most valuable variety of heliotrope is plasma, whose pattern is similar to that of the starry sky.
Mineral deposits
Heliotrope is mined in many parts of our planet.
Historically, heliotrope stone was mined in India, in the Calcutta region, and also in the Nile Valley. Currently, all these deposits have been exhausted. Blood jasper is mined in the United States (Wyoming, California), as well as in the Urals. On the territory of the former USSR, there are also small deposits of Stefanov stone near Bukhara (Uzbekistan).
The following countries also supply the mineral to the market:
- Australia;
- Namibia;
- China;
- Armenia.
Often, stones from small deposits are larger and more beautiful than those mined in mass mining. They are valued much more expensive both among jewelers and magicians.
Medicinal properties
Doctors and healers actively used the stone in their practice. The history of the origin of the stone is connected with its healing effect: it has a good effect on the circulatory system , stops bleeding, and removes waste and toxins from the body.
According to descriptions in ancient documents, when bitten by snakes, heliotrope powder mixed with honey can even draw out the poison and heal the bite site faster.
When the Spaniards went to the battlefield, they often took a piece of the mineral with them. If a fighter was wounded, he clutched a stone in his hand, tried to put it in the cold, and this helped to stop the bleeding faster and restore strength.
Lithotherapists still use its healing properties today.
These include:
- Increases hemoglobin, supports stable functioning of the heart muscles, prevents arrhythmia.
- Getting rid of atherosclerosis, activating blood flow, improving the general condition of blood vessels.
- Help in the functioning of the genitourinary system: getting rid of kidney stones and sand, prevention and treatment of pyelonephritis.
- Prevention of gynecological diseases. Beneficial effects on the fetus during pregnancy.
Lithotherapists actively use heliotrope for restorative massages.
Caring for heliotrope products
This mineral does not do well in settings made of precious metals. Iron or steel suits him best. With such metals it will sparkle with new colors. The selection of metal is also important if you plan to use the stone for magical purposes. A suitable frame enhances the energy of the gem, while an unsuitable frame blocks it.
There are several basic rules for wearing heliotrope jewelry.
- Blood jasper rings are worn on either the index or middle finger.
- The brooch should be located strictly in the center of the chest.
- Beads, pendants or pendants should reach the solar plexus.
- Bracelets with heliotrope are suitable as an additional magical accessory that enhances the effect of the stone, but not as a main one.
- If you wear several pieces of blood jasper jewelry, they should be placed side by side.
- Recharge your crystal from time to time to clear away negative energy. To do this, you need to hold it under running water and then put it in the sun.
- Rock crystal enhances the effect of heliotrope well.
Stefan's stone must be protected from falls and impacts; hardness does not mean strength. It is also vulnerable to sudden temperature changes. It is best to clean the crystal in plain soapy water; you should not test the effectiveness of household chemicals on it. When finished cleaning, blot the product with a soft cloth. When playing sports or physical labor, it is better to remove the talisman.
Magic properties
The mineral has many magical properties and is often used in amulets.
In different countries, different magical properties are attributed to :
- In Ancient Egypt, it was believed that those who own heliotrope could subjugate everyone around them , and a talisman made from this mineral would save them from the wrath of the rulers.
- In India, the stone is a symbol of courage, honesty and openness .
- Alchemists used heliotrope to enhance the effect of any spell and obtain answers to the eternal questions of existence .
- In the Middle Ages, “bloody” jasper was used to determine the onset of a solar eclipse and control rain .
- The Slavs considered the gem a symbol of family, happiness and comfort. Young girls wore it to attract a good groom and create a strong family with him. Elderly people used it to make children remember and honor their parents.
Esoteric specialists note that heliotrope is the main stone for those who want to build a good career . It helps in any matter (in work and in hobbies), but a person must clearly understand his ultimate goal. For people who don’t know what they want from life and just go with the flow, the stone will not help, but will only take away their energy.
Heliotrope has a lot of energy in it. He can give it to those who do not feel their inner strength and do not dare to take on new things and projects. The stone will help you move forward, bring you together with new useful people and not waste your energy.
The mineral will be very useful for those who are engaged in intellectual work : scientists, teachers, schoolchildren and students. Heliotrope helps you concentrate and better assimilate new knowledge. It also has a positive effect on logic and insight. This means that lawyers and businessmen can use the amulet for their own purposes: the immediate prospects and the shortest ways to realize them will be revealed to them.
Heliotrope is well suited for purposeful people who are used to winning in everything. Therefore, romantic natures and people who are not ready for an active life and serious changes should use such an amulet very carefully. It will certainly affect work and self-improvement, but success in love affairs can be pushed into the background.
Talismans with heliotrope
Any heliotrope product can be used as a talisman: a stone, brooch, ring, figurine or raw stone. But certain figures can enhance the magical effect of the mineral. For example, cut out an animal corresponding to your zodiac sign.
You can put special symbols or runes on the stone, cut out a cross, an icon or a gem with the image of a saint. But we must remember that such a stone will bring good things to its owner only when it is consecrated.
Any product with heliotrope can be used as a talisman
Heliotrope color scheme
The main color is dark green. The pattern is added by inclusions in the main color.
There are different combinations in nature:
- blue and green;
- blue and gray;
- brown and green;
- red shades;
- yellow spots.
Stones cannot be uniform in color and uniform in the distribution of color impurities. One sample may have both light areas and dark spots.
Crystals get their shine after cutting and polishing. The luster is close to glass, but can sometimes be waxy or resinous.
How to distinguish a fake?
Bloody jasper is rarely counterfeited. The products are not in wide demand or popularity. You can check its naturalness by hardness. If the jewelry is fake, it will scratch easily. You can heat the needle and try to pierce the stone. Even a hot tip cannot ruin the quality of the original product.
More often than not, trade organizations offer not fakes, but deception. The buyer is offered to buy stones similar to the Babylonian stone, their cost is comparable. There is a lot of quartz in nature; if you do not know about the peculiarities of its appearance, you can become the owner of a completely different natural formation.
Caring for products with bloody jasper and agate
Heliotrope is an ornamental stone for jewelers. It is actively used in the production of semi-precious jewelry objects of art and craftsmanship. Almost all possible jewelry items are made from natural samples.
The cut stone looks beautiful in women's rings, men's rings, brooches, and earrings. For decorations, silver frames and frames are often chosen. The shape of the products is often close to a cabochon.
Despite its hardness, it is necessary to take care of jewelry. Any damage to harder materials will spoil the appearance of the gems. Wash the mineral with a mild soap solution. The water temperature is closer to cool. After soap, rinse the product under a weak stream of water.
It is recommended to wipe and dry with light blotting movements into a napkin or soft cloth. Household chemicals cannot be used; they will damage the surface and remove shine. It is not recommended to wear a stone when the air temperature changes sharply.
Compatibility with zodiac signs and names
The mineral is best suited for Virgos, Sagittarius and Cancers : it helps to achieve career success and promotes self-development and personal growth. Sagittarius and heliotrope are an ideal pair: the stone will help the owner of this sign to improve themselves in all areas at once.
Aries wearers of heliotrope come up with new ideas with ease.
Cancers , who are hardworking and persistent in themselves, can easily achieve success and material well-being with the help of this mineral.
Scorpios with this talisman become less aggressive, but may feel stagnant in their career or sport, so they should handle this stone carefully.
But Leos, Aquarius and Taurus better protect themselves and avoid heliotrope and jewelry with it, because it will not bring them happiness, but only negative energy. Pisces should also beware - heliotrope can ruin all the creative energy of an uninitiative and passive zodiac sign.
If with zodiac signs everything is quite transparent, then with names everything is completely different. Selecting a lucky semi-precious stone for certain names is difficult and almost impossible; many factors must be taken into account at once. But it is believed that the blood stone brings good luck to people with the names: Ekaterina, Vadim, Peter, Daria, Irina and Sergei.
At the same time, you need to monitor other compatibility parameters so that the stone matches both your zodiac sign and name. For example, an Aquarius woman named Ekaterina should definitely not wear heliotrope.
Compatibility with other stones
Heliotrope does not really like to be adjacent to other stones. But there are several minerals, combination with which can enhance the effect of the mineral and complement its action (for example, bring good luck in love or help determine your goals).
Such stones include:
- blue agate;
- pearl;
- blue sapphire;
- rhinestone;
- lapis lazuli;
- turquoise.
But combinations with the following stones should always be avoided, so as not to run into trouble in all areas of life:
- coral;
- opal;
- beryl;
- Moonstone;
- aquamarine.
Application in jewelry
What the craftsmen didn’t come up with when introducing pebbles into jewelry and exclusive household items.
A wide variety of heliotis jewelry is recognized: earrings, necklaces, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, cameos, pendants, rings, rings. The main distinguishing feature of the products is the unique pattern of the stone.
Ring
Jewelry set in silver, tin, and cupronickel looks most harmonious. Gold is used less frequently for frames. Heliotis is combined with pearls, jet, turquoise, malachite, and coral.
Earrings with heliotis
Prices for jewelry made from sea mother of pearl are affordable. This is especially true for jewelry.
The magic of the original stone from the depths of the sea inspires manufacturers of luxury items, in particular, world-famous Swiss watches. The dials are decorated with mother-of-pearl, which gives the products additional charm.
Heliotis in silver
Boxes, vases, snuff boxes, watches, mirrors, and buttons are inlaid with heliotis. Large shells are used to make dishes.
A skillfully crafted item with mother-of-pearl in its design is an excellent gift with a positive connotation for the recipient.
Areas of use
Heliotrope is widely used as crafts and decorations because it has a beautiful glossy sheen.
Heliotrope is most widely used in jewelry and ornaments. All kinds of jewelry, amulets, objects and interior details are made from it, which are often used in the interior, as well as souvenirs and church paraphernalia for rituals (figurines, candlesticks).
Description of the pearl
Heliotis is a type of pearl. But pure mother-of-pearl has calm pastel shades with cool tones. It shimmers in the blue and pink spectrum.
Heliotis stone plays with tints of emerald green, blue, lilac and pink-red tones.
The clam has a rich, vibrant shine in each color. They are harmoniously intertwined with each other.
Heliotrope is popularly nicknamed “Firebird Feather.”
Hardness – up to 6 points on the Mohs scale. Density – 2.7 g/cm3.
The peculiarity of the mollusk is the ability to create pearls. Each specimen produces about 130 beads over its lifetime.
Small shells are common - up to 7 cm in length. But there are large options with a length of 25 cm.
A pearl weighing over 400 carats - 90 g - is listed in the Red Book. A mollusk with a giant stone was discovered in 1990 in California.
In 1991, the pearl was valued at $4.7 million.
Checking heliotrope for authenticity
Heliotrope is not considered a particularly expensive mineral, but fakes made from synthetic materials can still be found. In order not to buy simple jewelry, you need to pay attention to several points:
- Plastic does not have the same weight as natural material, so the mineral should feel quite weighty .
- Stones are very poor conductors, so when squeezed in the palm of the hand, heliotrope cannot get very hot , it should remain cool.
- If you try to leave a mark on the gem with a needle, nothing should happen; a small scratch will remain on the plastic.
- A natural mineral does not have to be perfect - it may have roughness , concavities, inclusions and uneven coloring.
How to wear and care for a stone
Wearing and caring for heliotrope is no different from other unpretentious minerals.
Heliotrope does not require special care
Therefore, the following rules can be distinguished:
- Do not hit or drop the stone to avoid causing damage.
- It is recommended to store the product in a special box or casket with soft walls.
- Do not use chemicals when cleaning and avoid contact with the product when wearing it.
- It is recommended to clean the mineral only with a weak solution of soapy water . Then the product is carefully washed with cool, clean water and blotted with a soft cloth or napkin.
- Temperature changes should be avoided , they can harm the stone: it can lose its natural shine.
Main conclusions
Natural heliotrope has a bright appearance. It combines dark green and red shades, while the presence of stripes and inclusions on the stones is always different. The mineral has a rich history - since ancient times it has been used by magicians and was highly valued by jewelers and clergy. Main properties of the stone:
- heals the body and saturates it with energy, improves the functioning of the circulatory system;
- helps to recover from illnesses and protects against negative influences from the outside;
- gives determination and perseverance in achieving what is planned, develops leadership abilities;
- natural stone can be used in meditative practices, as a powerful talisman and amulet.
A natural mineral requires proper use and combination with other minerals. To increase the life of your jewelry, do not expose it to mechanical stress and periodically clean it in soapy water.
Share your impressions of this unusual stone and leave feedback in the comments.
