crests
or monograms. The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians used the bloodstone
extensively for seals. Outside the realm of jewelry it supplies a fine
material for artistic cups, small vases, and statuettes. In the French
Royal Collection in Paris is a bust of Jesus Christ in bloodstone, so
executed that the red spots of the stone most realistically resemble
drops of blood. Another fine specimen of carving is a head of Christ
in the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago.
The
supply of bloodstone is derived almost entirely from India, especially
from the Kathia-war Peninsula. Other sources are in Australia and
Brazil. Bloodstone does occur, but unimportantly, in Europe; fine
specimens are found at several places in Scotland, especially in the
basalt of the Isle of Rum.
