Heliotrope, better known as bloodstone, is a dark green variety of chalcedony with characteristic flecks or patches of red jasper. These red spots, which resemble drops of blood, are caused by inclusions of hematite. It is widely collected and carved into cabochons for jewelry, historical seals, and decorative ornaments.
Is this heliotrope bauxite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch heliotrope bauxite with a known reference. Heliotrope Bauxite sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Heliotrope Bauxite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Heliotrope Bauxite typically shows a waxy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Heliotrope Bauxite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside heliotrope bauxite
Minerals reported to co-occur with heliotrope bauxite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 2.58-2.64 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Gemstone, Lapidary, Decorative, Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $5-50 for cut stones or small specimens, higher for large cabinet pieces
Where rockhounds find heliotrope bauxite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- India
- Brazil
- Australia
- USA
- Madagascar
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where heliotrope bauxite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chalcedony, chlorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Arkansas — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify heliotrope bauxite?+
Where is heliotrope bauxite found?+
Can I find heliotrope bauxite in the United States?+
How much is heliotrope bauxite worth?+
What rocks look like heliotrope bauxite?+
What minerals are found with heliotrope bauxite?+
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Find heliotrope bauxite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
