Rocksday

Bloodstone vs Jasper

How to tell them apart

Bloodstone specimen
Bloodstone

Dark green chalcedony speckled with red spots of iron oxide.

Photo: Ra'ike (see also: de:Benutzer:Ra'ike), CC BY-SA 3.0

Jasper specimen
Jasper

Opaque, impurity-rich microcrystalline quartz. Iron oxides give the classic brick red, but jasper comes in nearly every earthy color and pattern.

Photo: Tommy from Arad, CC BY 2.0

Key differences

  • Green jasper lacks the scattered red spots.

Side by side

PropertyBloodstoneJasper
TypeMineralMineral
Mohs hardness6.5–76.5–7
LusterWaxy to vitreousDull to waxy
StreakWhiteWhite
ColorsGreen, RedRed, Brown, Yellow, Green
Crystal systemMicrocrystalline quartz (chalcedony)Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony)
Specific gravity2.59–2.732.5–2.9
FormulaSiO₂SiO₂ + impurities
Found inIndia; AustraliaOregon and Idaho; India

Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.

How to identify bloodstone

  • Dark green with small blood-red dots.
  • Opaque, hard, waxy polish.
  • No visible banding.

Crystal system: Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony)

Full Bloodstone guide →

How to identify jasper

  • Completely opaque, even at thin edges.
  • Solid earthy colors, often red, sometimes patterned.
  • Hard — scratches glass.
  • Smooth, curved fracture surfaces.

Crystal system: Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony)

Full Jasper guide →

More comparisons

Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?

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