FactSheet – Jasper

Origin
Jasper (a type of chalcedony) is formed in veins or slabs when silica-rich solutions solidified in a variety of situations. It is a cryptocrystalline variety of quartz – meaning it has individual crystals too small to be seen with a light microscope. It also occurs as a petrifying agent in fossilwood.

Composition: Silicon dioxide: SiO2 – plus other minerals, such as haematite and other iron-bearing minerals, which give the wide range of colours and patterns. Dendritic mineral inclusions can produce ‘vegetative’ growths.
Structure: Trigonal (Mohs scale 7)
Colour: Almost all colours appear in the full range of jaspers! Opaque jasper will take a vey high polish.
Numerous types of jasper have been found and are mostly named after their appearance or their source, e.g. Picture, Red, Orbicular, Wild Horse, Wonder, Riband, Imperial, Brecciated etc.
Orbicular Jasper (pictured above) is named after the many ‘orbs’ or small spheres (from 1–10mm diam.) in its matrix which appear as circles on cut sections.
It is sometimes referred to as Ocean Jasper as it is found in tidal areas on the Madagascan coast. Typically green, pale grey, pink/orange and sandy yellow.
Picture Jasper – is valued for its superb miniature ‘landscapes’ and range of colours. It is a petrified or silicated sample of fine mud which entered gas pockets in a molten lava flow, became super-heated, and then solidified.
Historically, panels of jasper have been used to richly adorn church interiors (superb examples can be seen in the Czech Republic and Russia).

Sources
Crystals (UK) orbicular jasper is sourced from Madagascar and in challenging circumstances. Access to an important working is affected by tides and civil unrest further impedes the very limited supply of this beautiful stone. Our supplier cuts, shapes and polishes our jasper in the capital of Madagascar.
Other jaspers are widely sourced from around the world.

Our view...
Jasper is well suited to imaginative carving work, being relatively low in cost. The Chinese, especially, have appreciated its many colour and pattern variations and their enthusiasm has resulted in a huge explosion in the colours and shapes of jasper beads in the last few years. Much of this energy has come from a key supplier and friend of Crystals (UK). The Guangzhou (Canton) area excels in jasper animal carvings.


Ros Mason – November 2006
© Crystals (UK) Ltd. T/A Crystals Reg. No. 5056864.

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Birthstones
& Zodiac stones
Our choices of stones are an amalgamation of modern and traditional systems, as well as those originating from Roman, Hebrew and Ayurvedic sources. We hope you find them useful.

•
Birthstones

January – Garnet
(also Rose Quartz)

February – Amethyst
(also Onyx)

March – Aquamarine
(also Bloodstone, Red Jasper)

April – Diamond
(also Rock Crystal/Quartz)

May – Emerald
(also Agate, Chrysoprase)

June – Moonstone
(also Pearl, Alexandrite)

July – Ruby
(also Jade, Carnelian)

August – Peridot
(also Carnelian, Sardonyx)

September – Sapphire
(also Chrysolite, Lapis Lazuli)

October – Opal
(also Beryl, Pink Tourmaline)

November – Yellow Topaz
(also Citrine)

December – Turquoise
(also Blue Topaz)

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Zodiac Stones

Aquarius – Garnet

Pisces – Amethyst

Aries – Bloodstone

Taurus – Sapphire

Gemini – Agate

Cancer – Emerald

Leo – Onyx

Virgo – Carnelian

Libra – Chrysolite

Scorpio – Beryl

Sagittarius – Topaz

Capricorn – Ruby
Crystals (UK) Ltd.
Head Office: 13 Norman Court, Budlake Rd, Marsh Barton
Exeter EX2 8PY, UK
www.crystalshop.co.uk