Heliotrope (mineral) Heliotrope (mineral) The mineral aggregate heliotrope (from Greek ἥλιος, "hḗlios" “Sun”, τρέπειν, "trépein" “to turn”), also known as bloodstone, is a variety of jasper or chalcedony (which is a cryptocrystalline mixture of quartz). The "classic" bloodstone is green jasper (chalcedony) with red inclusions of hematite. The red inclusions are supposed to resemble spots of blood, hence the name "bloodstone". The name "heliotrope" derives from various ancient notions about the manner in which the mineral reflects light. These are described, e.g., by Pliny the Elder ("Nat. Hist." 37.165). Heliotrope was called "stone of Babylon" by Albert the Great and he referred
USS Heliotrope (1863) USS Heliotrope (1863) USS "Heliotrope" (1863) was a wooden steamer acquired by the Union Navy for use during the American Civil War. In addition to patrol duty, "Heliotrope" performed other services, such as towing and dispatch running. "Heliotrope", a wooden steamer, was originally named "Maggie Baker", and was purchased by the Navy from her owner, Stacey Pitcher, at New York City on 16 December 1863. Renamed "Heliotrope", she commissioned at New York Navy Yard 24 April 1864. "Heliotrope" was assigned initially to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and sailed soon after her commissioning to Hampton Roads, Virginia, where she served