History & Introduction
Jasper belongs to the varieties of quartz. It is an opaque and impure variety of
silicon dioxide (SiO2). The name 'jasper' is derived from the Greek word for 'spotted
stone' that refers to its typical multicolored, striped, spotted or flamed appearance
and in Latin iaspidem. Jasper stone is one of the oldest recognized gemstones, and
was very popular in ancient times. Written records are found in Greek, Hebrew, Assyrian,
Persian and Latin prints, as well as in the Bible. However, in antiquity what was
referred as jasper gemstone was completely a different stone from what we call jasper
today; it means the green transparent varieties. Jasper stone is one of the stones
related to the Sun Sign of Virgo and the birthstone for the month of October.
Different varieties and names for jasper are found; they make reference to its patterns
or to its locations of origin. Jasper can form in almost any color. Jasper is mainly
taken as a chalcedony, still some of the scientists are there, which classify jasper
as a separate type because of its distinctive grainy structure.
Jasper gemstone is a dense substance, up to twenty percent of which is made of foreign
materials. Rarely, we find jasper stone uniform because of these trace impurities.
The patterns of jasper are formed during the process of mineral consolidation, determined
by the exact flow and deposition of silica-rich sediments or volcanic ash. With
the original deposits of silica materials naturally form with cracks and fissures
after deposition, they are later filled with other minerals, like iron oxide, manganese
dioxide, metal oxide and even organic matter. The specific appearance of the final
substance is because of the final settling of these materials.
In general the jasper patterns includes orbital rings, interesting marbling, veining,
streaks, flaming, banding and spots. The names tend to be very confusing, however
mainly they are used only by the keen collectors. Very rare we could find uniform
color jasper. Maximum jasper found are opaque and they exhibit various color patterns.
The foreign minerals it carries form the colors, appearance, streaks and spots.
More than fifty varieties of jasper are there, however the most prized jasper gemstones
is a combination of red and green patterns. Veins of jasper are rarely seen in the
igneous rocks, like in granite. Jaspers are formed in a minimum of two steps. Tiny
particles settle first in layers, with this the layers are bonded together with
a solution of silica. Jasper may go through many more steps in its formation.
Many jaspers are named for the region where they are found or for their color patterns.
Such as Kambaba, Picture, Biggs, Red, Landscape, Brecciated Mookiate, Frog Skin,
Zebra, Mookite, Brecciated, Lizard Skin, Picasso, Artistic, Exotica, Succor, Wilow
Creek, Dalmation, Ghost's Eye, Dallasite, Cobra, Dendritic, Stone Canyon, Plume,
Bamboo, Polychrome, Desert, Ocean, Fancy, Orbical, Poppy, Montana Bark, Snake Skin,
Owyhee, Spiderman, Starburst, Leopard Skin, Rainforest or Rhyolite, Morgan Hill
Poppy, Burro Jasper.
Recognise - Jasper belongs to the quartz group with a chemical
composition composed mainly of silicon dioxide. Up to 20% percent of fine dense
jasper can be composed of foreign materials, naturally clay, hematite, calcite and
pyrolusite. It possess noticeably grainy structure compared with other forms of
chalcedony, which some scientists also put jasper into its own individual group
within the quartz family. Jasper possess microcrystalline structure that means its
trigonal crystals is only seen under high magnification. It is easily distinguished
from many other materials, which are alike by its brilliant hardness and lack of
cleavage.
Availability - Jasper gemstones is available in many locations
around the world. Jasper is naturally found in veins and cracks in volcanic rocks
Some of the most notable deposits are found in the areas of India, Australia, Madagascar,
Brazil, Kazakhstan, Canada, Venezuela, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Uruguay,
and the United States of America.
Usages - Jasper is famous as an ornamental stone. Jasper stone
is carved into ornamental objects, as well as is used as an inexpensive gemstone
in jewelry, maximum in beads in earrings, necklaces and bracelets. It is favorite
among amateur gem cutters because of its diverse and fairly inexpensive nature.
This gemstone is used in making all kinds of decorative objects as well as jewelry.
The gemstone is very beautiful gemstone that many people like to collect.
Buying Guide
Color - Jasper gemstone is found in every colors, spotted, mainly
striped or flamed. The different variation of trade names specify composition. In
case of color no recommendation is used, traces of iron oxide is main cause of the
red color and is one of the most common colors. Yellow and brown colors are also
available commonly. Stones that are unicolored are extremely rare. The overall value
is defined with the saturation of color.
Clarity and Lustre - Jasper stone in clarity is always opaque,
in the case of thin slices too. It is popular to take an excellent polish and display
a fine, vitreous to dull luster.
Cut and Shape - Naturally, the jasper gems are cut en cabochon,
which mainly have very low domes. Jasper stones are found in huge sizes and is also
found in every shape that includes hearts, rounds, pears, trillions, ovals, cushions
and other shapes. The gemstone is even used to make ornamental gemstone carvings
as well as stone mosaics. During cutting care should be taken as banded jasper tends
to separate along the layers.
Treatment - Jasper stone is not mainly treated or improved in whatever
ways. There are stones that are dyed to imitate other gems or even other jasper
varieties.
Gemological Characteristics: