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Jasper

Quartz

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: September 2023
Jasper Polished Jasper Rough Jasper Jewelry
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Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Jasper Colors
  • Alternate Names
  • Countries of Origin
  • History
  • Care
  • More About Jasper
  • Species/Variety
  • Related Videos

Jasper is an opaque, fine grained species of chalcedony comprised of myriad microscopic quartz crystals intermixed with various impurities. Jasper can come in any color and it takes on many appearances. Many varieties of Jasper are named for the location they are found. Many stones that are called jasper in the gemstone trade are actually rhyolite or other stone materials. The best-known jaspers are bloodstone, picture jasper, porcelain jasper, and brecciated jasper.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Jasper
Species
Quartz
Transparency
Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: None
Refractive Index
1.532-1.539
Birefringence
0.004
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
CCF Reaction
Dyed blue: pinkish
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
6.5-7
Streak
White, Yellow, Brown And Red
Specific Gravity
2.500-2.600 Typical:2.600
Toughness
Excellent
Inclusions
Jasper is sometimes dyed often to look like lapis but will not have calcite or pyrite inclusions with higher luster. The stone will have a finely grained structure.
Luster
Vitreous, Dull, Waxy, Greasy
Fracture
Conchoidal, Granular, Uneven
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
silicon dioxide (aka silica)
Chemical Formula
SiO2
Crystal System
Trigonal
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Jasper Colors

  • Bi-color Jasper
    Bi-color
  • Black Jasper
    Black
  • Blue Jasper
    Blue
  • Gray Jasper
    Gray
  • Green Jasper
    Green
  • Multi-color Jasper
    Multi-color
  • Orange Jasper
    Orange
  • Purple Jasper
    Purple
  • Red Jasper
    Red
  • White Jasper
    White
  • Yellow Jasper
    Yellow

Alternate Names

Agate Jasper, Banded Jasper, Basanite, Egyptian Jasper, Hornstone, Nunkirchner Jasper, Scenic Jasper, Silex

Countries of Origin

Russian Federation; Czechia; Uruguay; United States of America; Madagascar; Portugal; India; Netherlands; Morocco; Unknown; China; Brazil; Mexico; South Africa; Australia; Peru

History

Jasper is an opaque, fine-grained variety of chalcedony quartz. Leopard skin jasper has circular-like patterns, red picture jasper will have you looking for the pictures in each stone, ocean jasper can take you on an imaginary journey to the bottom of the sea. Its name comes from the Latin word for the gem, iaspis, which means "spotted stone".

Care

Normal care unless dyed in which case avoid heat, harsh chemicals, and ultrasonic cleaners.

More About Jasper

Historically, black jasper was said to help discern forgeries and pinpoint dishonesty. Some people believed that other colors of jasper had healing powers. Others state that jasper protects against the bites of snakes, scorpions, and other venomous creatures. There's no scientific evidence that jasper has any healing powers. We have a lot of evidence that it has the power to add something lovely to your jewelry collection.

Species/Variety

Kambaba Jasper or Kambaba Stone

Kambaba jasper is not a true jasper and should be called "Kabamba stone". This material comes from Madagascar and It is often reported to contain fossil stromatolites, but this is not true. It is a volcanic rock made up of a green quartz, aegirine, potassium feldspar and black amphibole that creates the orbicular and swirling patterns.

Kambaba Jasper or Kambaba Stone Jasper
Kambaba Jasper or Kambaba Stone Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Kambaba Jasper or Kambaba Stone
Toughness
Good
Stability
Good

Bloodstone

Bloodstone, once known as heliotrope, comes from Australia, Brazil, India, and the United States. It has a dark green body color caused by small particles of chlorite, speckled with red iron oxide inclusions. It has been used as signet rings and decorative objects since ancient times and remains popular today.

Bloodstone Jasper
Bloodstone Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Bloodstone
Specific Gravity
2.55
Toughness
Excellent
Inclusions
Red iron oxide
Stability
Good

Porcelain Jasper

Porcelain jasper, which is also known as exotica, santefe or scifi jasper comes from the area around Sonora, Mexico. The stone has a cream or white background with gray, mauve, maroon and plum colors creating unique patterns.

Porcelain Jasper Jasper
Porcelain Jasper Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Porcelain Jasper
Specific Gravity
2.55
Toughness
Excellent
Inclusions
Sometimes shows iron staining
Stability
Good

Brecciated Jasper

Brecciated jaspers are often found in earthquake prone locations. The stone shows cracks that were formed during tectonic movements and then became re-cemented back together.

Brecciated Jasper Jasper
Brecciated Jasper Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Brecciated Jasper
Specific Gravity
2.55
Toughness
Excellent
Inclusions
Agate in cemented cracks
Stability
Good

Orbicular Jasper

Orbicular jaspers contain rounded zones or concentric circular rings that differ from the main body color. Many orbicular jaspers sold in the market are actually agate or rhyolite.

Orbicular Jasper Jasper
Orbicular Jasper Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Orbicular Jasper
Specific Gravity
2.55
Toughness
Excellent
Stability
Good

Ocean Jasper

Ocean jasper is a variety of orbicular jasper. Most ocean jaspers are agate which is the translucent variety of chalcedony. The best ocean jasper comes from Madagascar where it gets its name from the beach location where it is found.

Ocean Jasper Jasper
Ocean Jasper Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Ocean Jasper
Specific Gravity
2.55
Toughness
Excellent
Stability
Good

Poppy or Flower Jasper

Poppy or flower jasper is a type of orbicular jasper that gets its name from the red rings that look like a poppy flower. Some varieties are mustard in color and looks like a mustard yellow ocean jasper. Some flower jaspers are actually rhyolite.

Poppy or Flower Jasper Jasper
Poppy or Flower Jasper Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Poppy or Flower Jasper
Specific Gravity
2.55
Toughness
Excellent
Inclusions
Flower shaped orbs sometimes with a different colored core
Stability
Good

Scenic or Picture Jasper

Scenic or picture jasper gets its name from the patterns that are reminiscent of landscapes paintings. Most come in earth tones, but other colors are possible. Some of the best known varieties are sunset, rocky butte, Biggs, Deschutes, Wild Horse Canyon, Royal Sahara, and Owyhee Jaspers.

Scenic or Picture Jasper Jasper
Scenic or Picture Jasper Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Scenic or Picture Jasper
Specific Gravity
2.55
Toughness
Excellent
Stability
Good

Leopard or Leopard Skin Jasper

Leopard or leopard skin jasper is a variety of rhyolite and not a true jasper and comes from Mexico. It is tan with green, red, and zones resembling leopard spots.

Leopard or Leopard Skin Jasper Jasper
Leopard or Leopard Skin Jasper Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Leopard or Leopard Skin Jasper
Toughness
Good
Stability
Good

Rainforest Jasper

Rainforest jasper is a variety of rhyolite lava found in Mt Hay, in Central Queensland, Australia. It is green or brownish in color with red and cream zones. When the lava cooled gas bubbles became trapped in the material. Later agate, quartz or opal filled the voids.

Rainforest Jasper Jasper
Rainforest Jasper Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Rainforest Jasper
Toughness
Good
Stability
Good

Basanite

Basanite is a black, glassy variety of jasper also known as touchstone. It is used by jewelers to test the streak of precious-metal alloys.

  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Basanite
Specific Gravity
2.55
Toughness
Excellent
Stability
Good

Fossil Jasper

Fossilized jasper is sometimes better known as “petrified” material. Bone, coral, fern, shell, and wood can be replaced by silica and preserves the structure of the original material.

Fossil Jasper Jasper
Fossil Jasper Jasper
  • Classification
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Fossil Jasper
Specific Gravity
2.55
Toughness
Excellent
Inclusions
Structure of the bone, coral, wood, or palm of the original material
Stability
Good

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