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CHAPTER VIII. BLOODSTONE.
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LOODSTONE, or Heliotrope, is
a variety of Chalcedony, of a deep green colour, interspersed with red
spots of Jasper, which resemble small drops of blood, whence its name.
Although
a beautiful mineral, it is not much used for ornamental purposes,
except for signet rings. Being a rather hard stone, yet not difficult
of manipulation, it is a favourite with engravers, and hence crests and
monograms are frequently engraved upon it. Cups, boxes and other
ornamental objects of small size, are also fashioned from it. It was
much prized by the ancient Egyptians and . Babylonians, who employed it
for seals, intaglios, &c.
In
the Royal Collection in Paris is a bust of our Lord Jesus Christ in
Bloodstone, so executed that the red spots of the stone stand out like
real drops of blood.
BLOODSTONE.
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