The "classic" bloodstone is translucent to opaque green chalcedony and red jasper that contains inclusions of hematite.

Heliotrope was called "stone of Babylon" by Albertus Magnus[2] and he referred to several magical properties, which were attributed to it from Late Antiquity.

[3] Damigeron (4th century)[4] wrote about its property to make rain, solar eclipse, and its special virtue in divination and preserving health and youth.

A Christian tradition states that the red spots come from blood falling upon the stone during the crucifixion of Jesus, as he was stabbed in the side by a Roman soldier.

[5] In India it is held that one can staunch the bleeding by placing upon wounds and injuries after dipping it in cold water, which may have a scientific basis in the fact that iron oxide, contained in the stone, is an effective astringent.