Antique bloodstone rings — the classic gentleman's seal ring stone. Bloodstone (also called heliotrope) is a dark green chalcedony flecked with red iron oxide inclusions that resemble drops of blood, giving the stone its name. At Mohs 6.5–7, it is hard enough for daily wear and tough enough to take detailed intaglio carving without chipping.
Bloodstone's primary role in antique jewellery was as an intaglio seal stone, carved with family crests, monograms, or heraldic devices and set into heavy gold signet rings. The stone's dark green ground provided natural contrast against the carved design, and its fine, even grain allowed crisp detail work. Victorian and earlier signet rings in this material were functional objects — used to seal letters and authenticate documents — as well as statements of identity and social position.
The deep green colour with its scattered red flecks makes bloodstone one of the most immediately recognisable stones in the antique ring trade. Settings are almost always bezel or rub-over in heavy-gauge gold, reflecting the ring's practical origins as a working seal. Bloodstone is traditionally associated with courage and vitality, and serves as one of the birthstones for March. For more on gemstones in antique jewellery, browse our gemstone guides.
