TEMPO.CO, Purbalingga - Le Sang du Christ, loosely translated as Christ’s bloodstone, is the name of the stone. The green stone with flecks of red, similar to the color of blood, has an emotional value because the red flecks are believed to be drops of Christ’s blood from his crucifixion.
"Many French nobles seek this stone because it is used as a noble’s seal," precious stone expert Sujatmiko, said yesterday.
Sujatmiko added that the Le Sang du Christ is also often called a heliotrope while the residents of Purbalingga know it better as the nogo suwi stone. The stones found along the Klawing River are currently being displayed at the geology faculty at Soedirman Poerwokerto University (Unsoed).
The heliotrope was once used to observe the movements of the sun. There was once a belief that the user of the stone would gain magical powers. The stone can also stimulate physical strength, endurance, and balance.
Siswandi, a lecturer at Unsoed for precious stones, said the precious stone was formed 25 million years ago.
"The stone was formed from a volcanic process when the volcanoes under the sea spewed extremely hot lava on the sediments of the ocean’s floor. The stone was then formed after it solidified," he said.
Due to its legendary historical background, people nowadays use the stone to make luxurious jewelry. Many use it as an ancient Javanese amulet because they believe it possesses magical properties.
Siswandi said the red stains on the stone were due to an oxidation process when the stone was formed. Meanwhile, the dark green color was from magnesium oxide and the brown color was derived from mangan oxide.