Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Jasper

Jasper is an opaque variety of , a form of (SiO₂), characterized by its fine-grained structure and coloration derived from impurities such as . Typically red, yellow, brown, or green, it often exhibits banded or spotted patterns due to mineral inclusions, making it distinct from translucent chalcedony varieties like . With a Mohs of 6.5 to 7, jasper is durable and polishes to a waxy or vitreous luster, rendering it suitable for various applications. This gemstone occurs worldwide in sedimentary and volcanic rocks, often associated with banded iron formations, and has been sourced from notable localities such as (for bloodstone jasper), (Mookaite), and the (Biggs jasper in ). Varieties are classified by color, pattern, or origin, including red jasper, ocean jasper with orbicular designs, and landscape jasper mimicking natural scenes. Historically, jasper has been used since ancient times for jewelry, seals, and decorative objects; for instance, it appears in artifacts from Mesopotamian and civilizations dating back over 5,000 years. In modern jewelry, jasper is primarily cut as cabochons to highlight its patterns, though it can also be carved or, rarely, faceted for bold, affordable pieces valued at $1–$10 per as of 2025 depending on quality and rarity. Its earthy tones and stability make it popular for beads, cameos, and intaglios, while its abundance ensures accessibility compared to rarer gemstones.

Definition and Properties

Mineral Composition

Jasper is classified as an opaque variety of microcrystalline , with the primary chemical composition being (SiO₂). It forms as a dense aggregate where the quartz crystals are intermingled with various impurities, including iron oxides such as (Fe₂O₃), clay minerals, and other silicates, which render it opaque and contribute to its characteristic coloration. The mineralogical structure of jasper is , consisting of tightly packed grains, which distinguishes it from the finer, often fibrous microstructure of . This granular texture arises from the aggregation of microscopic particles, with the impurities dispersed throughout, up to 20% by volume in some specimens. Physically, jasper exhibits a specific ranging from 2.5 to 2.9, reflecting the influence of its iron-rich inclusions, and a Mohs of 6.5 to 7, making it suitable for applications. Trace elements play a pivotal role in pigmentation: iron oxides, particularly and , produce red and brown hues, while oxides contribute to black or dark tones. These elemental variations underpin the diverse colors and patterns seen across jasper varieties.

Physical and Optical Characteristics

Jasper exhibits an opaque to slightly translucent appearance, distinguishing it from more transparent varieties, and typically displays a vitreous to dull or waxy luster that contributes to its aesthetic appeal in polished forms. The mineral's color spectrum ranges primarily from red to brown tones, attributed to impurities, though variants include green, yellow, and black hues influenced by other trace elements such as or . It produces a streak on a plate, consistent with its quartz composition, and lacks cleavage, instead fracturing conchoidally to unevenly, which aids in its identification and shaping for ornamental purposes. With a Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7, jasper is sufficiently durable for use in jewelry and carvings, and its polishability allows it to achieve a smooth, glossy finish despite its structure. The specific gravity ranges from 2.58 to 2.91, reflecting its dense silica content, while its is rarely evident due to the fine-grained, massive . Optically, jasper is isotropic with a around 1.54 and no or , limiting its use in optical applications but enhancing its uniformity in gem cutting.

Geological Formation and Occurrence

Formation Processes

Jasper primarily forms through metasomatic replacement, where hot, silica-rich hydrothermal fluids circulate through host rocks, dissolving and redepositing while incorporating iron oxides from the surrounding environment. These fluids, often generated by magmatic or volcanic heat, infiltrate fractures, voids, and porous materials such as sediments or , gradually replacing the original matrix with —a form of silica. This process typically occurs at relatively low temperatures (below 200°C) in or settings, leading to the dense, opaque texture characteristic of jasper. The formation is intimately linked to volcanic activity and sedimentary processes in ancient geological environments, where silica is mobilized from weathered volcanic rocks or ash layers during sedimentation and subsequent . In marine basins, these silica-laden fluids interact with iron-bearing sediments, promoting and gel precipitation that solidify into jasper over millions of years. A significant association exists with banded iron formations (BIFs), where jasper appears as red, hematite-rich chert bands; these structures peaked during the around 2.4 billion years ago, when photosynthetic oxygen production oxidized dissolved iron in anoxic oceans, facilitating alternating silica and iron oxide deposition. Secondary processes involve the silicification of limestones or iron-rich sediments, often along fault zones or near hydrothermal vents, where descending or ascending silica-bearing solutions replace carbonates and other minerals through and infilling. This can result in jasperoid bodies—massive siliceous replacements—that preserve the host rock's structure while altering its composition. inclusions from these sediments contribute to the material's vibrant red hues during the replacement.

Major Deposits and Associations

Jasper deposits are prominent in the United States, particularly in the , where notable occurrences include Biggs Jasper in , formed from silicified exposed in cuts near Biggs Junction. Another significant site is the Bruneau Jasper deposit in , situated within a rhyolite flow extensively altered by hydrothermal activity associated with hot springs, yielding red and brown varieties in veins and vugs up to several hundred meters across. These U.S. deposits highlight jasper's prevalence in volcanic terrains, often as nodules or layers within rhyolitic host rocks. Globally, major jasper sources extend to , , and , among others. In , substantial deposits occur in , including and the , frequently linked to ancient geological structures. Indian deposits are concentrated in , , and , where jasper forms in silica-rich sedimentary environments. In , ferruginous jasper and chert deposits are found in the Eastern Desert, associated with island-arc metavolcanics in areas like Wadi Ranga and Wadi Karim. Similarly, banded iron formations (BIFs) in Western Australia's and South Africa's serve as primary sources, where jasper bands alternate with and in ancient sedimentary sequences dating back 3.45 billion years. Jasper commonly associates with chert, agate, and petrified wood, all varieties of chalcedony or microcrystalline quartz, in sedimentary basins and volcanic terrains where silica-rich solutions precipitate through sediments or ash layers. These associations arise in environments like ancient marine basins or volcanic flows, where jasper fills voids or replaces organic material, such as wood, leading to silicified structures. For instance, in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, jasper nodules often occur alongside agate and petrified wood in eroded volcanic deposits. Modern exploration of jasper faces challenges from and , which expose deposits by releasing resistant nodules from host rocks but scatter them across landscapes, complicating systematic and requiring extensive surface surveys. This process, while revealing outcrops in arid or glaciated regions, can also lead to surface alteration, masking underlying reserves until deeper investigation.

Etymology and Historical Development

Linguistic Origins

The term "jasper" originates from the ancient Greek word iaspis, which denoted a "spotted" or "speckled stone," alluding to the mineral's characteristic variegated patterns and colors. This Greek term likely derives from earlier or Afroasiatic roots, such as the yashpu or Akkadian yashupu, both referring to a valued precious stone in ancient Near Eastern contexts. From , the word passed into Latin as iaspis (nominative) or iaspidem (accusative), retaining its association with opaque, multicolored varieties. In medieval , it evolved through jaspe or jaspre (a form with an added -r for phonetic reasons), which directly influenced the "jasper" by the 14th century. In classical texts, iaspis was often a broad descriptor for green or translucent stones, but it was distinguished from heliotrope—specifically applied to bloodstone, a green jasper flecked with red iron oxide inclusions—based on the latter's reputed optical effect of reddening sunlight when submerged in water, as described by Pliny the Elder. The etymology of jasper has seen no major revisions since antiquity, though contemporary mineralogy standardizes it as an opaque, impure microcrystalline quartz aggregate through frameworks like those of the International Mineralogical Association.

Ancient Uses and Artifacts

The earliest known utilization of jasper dates to the and periods at in present-day , where it was employed between the 5th and 4th millennia BC for crafting bits and tools used in production. Archaeological evidence from Periods II and III (c. 5500–4500 BCE) reveals jasper's role in perforating harder stones like and , leveraging its Mohs hardness of around 7 to create tapered cylindrical drills that required bow mechanisms for effective rotation under heavy pressure. These implements facilitated early work, marking jasper as a key material in the region's emerging craft technologies. During the , jasper gained prominence in decorative and administrative artifacts across several civilizations. In Minoan Crete, around 1800 BCE during the Neopalatial period (MM III–LM I), green jasper was imported for carving sealstones that authenticated transactions and impressed clay sealings in palace economies, often requiring advanced horizontal bow lathe drilling techniques. Concurrently, in , jasper featured in scarabs such as the green jasper heart-scarab of from the 17th Dynasty (c. 1590 BC), inscribed with spells from the to prevent the heart from testifying against the deceased in the . Later examples, like a Third Intermediate Period (c. 1070–664 BC) green jasper scarab bearing a Horus-related blessing, underscore its amuletic role symbolizing renewal and life. In the Indus Valley Civilization, jasper beads appeared in elite necklaces from (c. 2500–1900 BC), combined with gold, , and steatite for ornamental pendants attached via thick wire. Jasper's practical applications extended into metallurgical testing as , a fine-grained black variety known as the Lydian stone, used since at least the late to purity by friction streaks compared against known alloys. Described by , these touchstones from the river Tmolos in —smooth, flat slabs about twice the size of large pebbles—revealed 's through color intensity, employing small weights such as the krithe (a grain, approx. 0.06 g) and fractions of the obol (approx. 0.7 g) for precision, a method rivaling fire assays. authors like Pliny adapted this technique for silver and , sourcing multiple stones for enhanced accuracy, while it persisted into medieval for jewelry and evaluation. Following the , jasper's role in general tool-making waned with the advent of technologies during the and , as and implements displaced stone for many cutting tasks due to greater durability. However, in specialized applications such as bead drilling, jasper and other stone tools continued to be used for their efficiency with hard materials, as evidenced by practices in the Indus Valley Civilization by the late . This shift primarily redirected jasper toward ornamental and symbolic functions, evident in the increasing prevalence of , scarabs, and beads over utilitarian tools.

Varieties and Types

Banded and Iron-Rich Jaspers

Banded and iron-rich jaspers are prominent varieties found within banded iron formations (BIFs), which are sedimentary rocks characterized by alternating layers of silica-rich material, such as chert or jasper, and iron oxide minerals like and . These formations developed through chemical precipitation in ancient marine environments, where episodic influxes of iron-rich waters interacted with rising oxygen levels produced by early photosynthetic organisms, leading to the oxidation and deposition of iron bands separated by siliceous layers. This process, peaking between approximately 3.8 and 1.8 billion years ago, records the transition from an anoxic to oxygenated global ocean during the and eras. The jasper layers in these BIFs derive their distinctive linear banding from the rhythmic deposition of microcrystalline silica interspersed with iron oxides, resulting in red and brown hues primarily from pigmentation. A classic example is jaspilite, a compact, siliceous where the jasper bands exhibit fine, parallel striations of hematite-rich silica, often with oolitic textures. These iron impurities, including and , not only impart color but also enhance the rock's durability, distinguishing it from purer silica forms. Geologically, banded and iron-rich jaspers hold significant value in paleoenvironmental studies, as their isotopic and mineralogical signatures reveal fluctuations in ancient chemistry, oxygen availability, and that shaped Earth's early atmosphere. Major deposits occur in the region, such as the Negaunee Iron-Formation in , where thick sequences of jaspilite extend over vast areas and have been key to understanding climate and conditions. Unlike agates, which are translucent banded varieties, these jaspers are markedly opaque due to dense inclusions that scatter light.

Patterned and Picture Jaspers

Patterned and picture jaspers are varieties of jasper distinguished by their scenic or abstract patterns that evoke landscapes, figures, or natural scenes, primarily resulting from dendritic inclusions and orbicular structures within the matrix. These patterns arise from the incorporation of oxides, which form intricate, branching dendritic structures resembling trees, ferns, or flowing rivers, often set against a base of earthy reds, browns, or greens influenced by iron and other impurities. Orbicular forms, characterized by concentric rings or spherical aggregates known as spherulites, add further visual complexity, creating eye-like or wave-like motifs that enhance the stone's artistic appeal. The formation of these jaspers typically occurs through mineral replacement processes in sedimentary environments, where silica-rich fluids infiltrate volcanic ash, clay, or deposits, gradually replacing the original material with microcrystalline while preserving or incorporating impurities that dictate the patterns. This metasomatic alteration, often associated with hydrothermal activity, concentrates oxides in dendritic forms and promotes the growth of orbicular structures through rapid around points, resulting in the enhanced aesthetic value prized in arts for cabochons, carvings, and decorative objects. Notable examples include Biggs jasper from , , which displays desert-like scenes with subtle blue and brown landscapes formed in volcanic ash deposits over ; Bruneau jasper from , featuring bold red-brown patterns within cavities from rhyolitic volcanism; jasper from , known for its vibrant green orbicular motifs in a rhyolite host; and Mookaite jasper from , characterized by swirling patterns in reds, yellows, and browns formed through silicification of sedimentary deposits. Over 50 recognized varieties exist worldwide, with significant recent discoveries in after 2000, such as the 1999 rediscovery of jasper veins and the 2006-2008 finding of polychrome jasper, expanding the palette of available patterned materials.

Specialized Varieties

One notable specialized variety is , also known as Lydian stone, which is a dense, fine-grained black jasper historically employed for assaying purity. This material, originating from ancient in Asia Minor, features a velvet-black siliceous composition that allows it to produce a clear streak when rubbed with metal alloys, enabling metallurgists to evaluate content without damaging the stone. Its utility stems from a Mohs hardness of approximately 7, providing scratch resistance essential for repeated testing, and a surface that achieves a high polish to retain fine markings. Green jasper, often referred to as or bloodstone, is characterized by its deep green hue derived from and inclusions, accented by distinctive red spots of . This variety forms through silica-rich solutions infiltrating sedimentary or volcanic rocks, resulting in an opaque stone prized since for its striking contrast. Yellow jasper represents another color-specific subtype, exhibiting a pale to golden yellow tone imparted by impurities, and typically occurs in massive formations within chert deposits. Similarly, leopardskin jasper displays earthy and greens from mineral inclusions, forming in rhyolitic environments and valued for its unique textural density. Among rare modern subtypes, Imperial Jasper stands out as a purple-red variety sourced exclusively from volcanic terrains in Mexico's region. This fine-grained material, with its rich iron-induced coloration, is noted for limited deposits along canyon slopes, making it a sought-after niche jasper for collectors. Like other specialized jaspers, its opacity and hardness contribute to durability in ornamental uses, though its historical function remains tied to aesthetic rather than utilitarian roles.

Uses and Applications

Ornamental and Gemstone Applications

Jasper, an opaque variety of , is primarily cut en to showcase its rich colors and intricate patterns in jewelry such as beads, pendants, and intaglios, as would not effectively display light through its solid structure. This cutting style suits its opacity, allowing lapidaries to highlight surface luster and natural veining without the need for transparency. Historically, jasper intaglios served as seals in and , where the stone's durability and fine grain enabled precise engravings for rings and administrative stamps, often depicting deities or symbols of authority. In , green jasper scarabs functioned as amulets and seals, while Romans favored it for portable intaglios in daily and ceremonial use. These applications underscore jasper's longstanding role in ornamental carving. Beyond jewelry, jasper has been employed in , including vases and architectural inlays; for instance, red jasper featured prominently in the Renaissance-era panels of Florence's Cappella dei Principi, evoking biblical references to the stone's heavenly associations. In modern , polished slabs of jasper are crafted into bookends and vases, valued for their weighty stability and aesthetic appeal in home decor. The market value of jasper gemstones hinges on pattern quality, color uniformity, and overall size, with exceptional specimens prized for vivid contrasts and rarity; typical prices range from $2 to $5 per for fine cabochons, rendering it an accessible option under $10 per . Rare varieties like Imperial jasper may fetch higher premiums due to unique zoning, but common types remain affordable for widespread ornamental use. Lapidary techniques for jasper emphasize polishing with diamond laps and cerium oxide to enhance its vitreous luster, as the stone takes a high polish readily; heat treatment is generally avoided to prevent thermal cracking from internal stresses in its microcrystalline structure. Water cooling during grinding further mitigates fracture risks, ensuring the stone's patterns remain intact.

Industrial and Contemporary Uses

Jasper's hardness, ranging from 6.5 to 7 on the , enables its occasional use as an material in grinding applications, where crushed jasper serves as a durable component in polishing and grinding compounds due to its resistance to wear. In ceramics production, jasper plays a minor role as a natural or filler, particularly in glazes, where powdered forms contribute iron oxides for color and texture enhancement, though it is not a primary . Since the 1970s New Age movement, jasper has gained prominence in the contemporary metaphysical market, where it is marketed and sold as a healing crystal believed to promote grounding and emotional protection, often incorporated into wellness products and alternative therapy practices.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Role in Ancient Civilizations

In , red jasper was highly valued for its protective qualities and frequently carved into amulets, such as the tit knot associated with the goddess , believed to bind magical forces and safeguard the wearer in life and the . These amulets, often inscribed with spells from the , were placed at the throat of mummies to invoke Isis's protection against harm and ensure resurrection. Similarly, green jasper amulets symbolized , vegetation, and renewal, offering talismanic defense for both the living and the deceased from malevolent influences. In , jasper served practical and ritualistic roles through cylinder seals, small engraved stones rolled onto clay to authenticate documents, mark ownership, or seal containers, with examples dating to the Neo-Assyrian period (8th century BCE) depicting cultic scenes involving deities like Ishtar. These seals, crafted from mottled gray and black jasper, underscored the stone's durability and prestige in administrative and religious contexts, reflecting societal emphasis on security and divine favor. Jasper held symbolic prominence in biblical texts, notably in the Book of Revelation, where the walls of the are described as pure jasper, signifying divine protection, purity, and eternal glory in the apocalyptic vision. In North American indigenous cultures, such as those of the , jasper-like materials including Saugus rhyolite were quarried and knapped into tools like projectile points and scrapers, integral to hunting and daily survival, highlighting its role in sustaining community life. Jasper's value facilitated extensive trade networks from the Indus Valley Civilization (circa 3rd millennium BCE) to and the broader Mediterranean, where etched and jasper beads served as luxury goods exchanged for metals and textiles, demonstrating the stone's economic significance due to its hardness and aesthetic appeal in jewelry. In Greco-Roman lore, red jasper evoked associations with blood's vitality and the earth's grounding force, often dedicated to deities like , the Roman goddess of fertility, and used in talismans for strength and harmony with nature.

Modern Metaphysical and Symbolic Interpretations

In contemporary practices, jasper is revered for its purported grounding properties, which are believed to foster emotional stability and balance the root chakra, the energy center associated with security and survival instincts. Specifically, red jasper is attributed with enhancing vitality and physical strength, drawing on its earthy red hues to stimulate life force and resilience during stress. These interpretations position jasper as a nurturing stone that aligns personal energy with the earth's vibrations, promoting a sense of wholeness in holistic rituals. Jasper has seen cultural revivals in modern esoteric traditions, particularly within , where it is placed in homes or workspaces to cultivate harmony, stability, and positive energy flow, often in the center or career sectors to amplify professional balance. Its popularity in surged during the post-2000s boom, fueled by a global shift toward alternative therapies and mindfulness, with the U.S. crystal market expanding rapidly amid celebrity endorsements and influence. This resurgence reflects broader consumer interest in natural remedies, transforming jasper from an ornamental stone into a staple of spiritual . Despite these beliefs, prevails, with no peer-reviewed evidence supporting jasper's or any crystal's therapeutic effects beyond . Studies, such as a 2001 experiment involving but applicable to broadly, demonstrate that perceived benefits—like reduced anxiety—stem from expectation rather than the stones themselves, as participants reported similar outcomes with genuine and sham crystals. Researchers emphasize that while responses can induce relaxation, they do not substantiate metaphysical claims, urging reliance on for health concerns. In the 2020s, jasper's role has evolved within eco-spiritualism, integrating into practices via apps and digital wellness platforms that guide users in crystal meditations for grounding and relief. This trend coincides with heightened emphasis on sustainable sourcing, as consumers and spiritual communities advocate for ethically mined jasper to mitigate environmental damage from unregulated quarrying, such as in regions like . Such initiatives underscore a of intent with ecological responsibility, prioritizing fair labor and in the supply chain.

References

  1. [1]
    Jasper Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
    Jul 10, 2025 · Jasper is an opaque, solid or patterned variety of cryptocrystalline quartz which consists of very tiny quartz crystals colored by various ...
  2. [2]
    Jasper: Mineral information, data and localities.
    It is typically associated with banded iron formations. It has also been used informally by lapidarists for many other opaque lapidary materials, including some ...About Jasper · Other Languages · Varieties
  3. [3]
    Jasper | Properties, Formation, Uses - Geology Science
    May 5, 2023 · For example, the presence of iron oxides can create the red coloration of Red Jasper, while the presence of manganese can create the spotted ...Missing: pigmentation | Show results with:pigmentation
  4. [4]
    Mineralogical Characteristics and Their Usability as Gemstones of ...
    Oct 24, 2024 · Jasper consists of fine-grained quartz (Qtz) and iron oxide (FeO) minerals (hematite) as its opaque minerals (Figure 4a,b). In some samples, ...
  5. [5]
    [PDF] REVIEW OF THE MINERALOGICAL SYSTEMATICS OF JASPER ...
    According to Frondel (1962) jasper is a dense opaque quartz rock with a high content (up and above 20%) of mainly iron impurities. Fine grained structure is ...
  6. [6]
    Jasper gemstone information - Gemdat.org
    Chemical Formula. SiO. 2 ; Mohs Hardness, 6.5 to 7 ; Specific Gravity, 2.58 to 2.91 ; Cleavage Quality, None ; Fracture, Conchoidal,Splintery.Missing: 2.5-2.9 | Show results with:2.5-2.9<|separator|>
  7. [7]
    Jasper - TOP GEO
    Classification: Oxides ; Chemical formula: SiO ; Crystal system: Trigonal - microcrystalline, cryptocrystalline ; Density (g/cm3):, 2,6 - 2,9 measured ; Tenacity: ...
  8. [8]
    (PDF) Formation of jasper and andradite during low-temperature ...
    Aug 9, 2025 · Other important preconditions for garnet formation were the lack of mixing between the hydrothermal fluid and cold seawater and low fCO2. It ...Missing: credible | Show results with:credible
  9. [9]
    Paleozoic and Mesozoic silica-rich seawater - USGS.gov
    We propose that silica in the ancient jaspers is not derived from submarine hydrothermal fluids-as suggested by previous workers-but instead was deposited ...Missing: formation | Show results with:formation
  10. [10]
    The origin of jasperoid in limestone - USGS.gov
    Most jasperoid bodies form by both replacement and silica deposition in voids, with replacement dominant during the early phase, and precipitation dominant ...Missing: processes | Show results with:processes
  11. [11]
    Lexicon | Agates | Geology and Soil - School of Natural Resources
    Biggs Jasper, for Biggs, Sherman, County, Oregon. Silicified volcanic ash first found in highway cuts between Biggs and Wasco, Oregon. Jasper is situated in ...
  12. [12]
    [PDF] Mineral Resources of the Bruneau River, Jarbidge River, and Sheep ...
    Bruneau jasper deposit in its upper zone. The Bruneau jasper-bearing rhyolite is extensively hydrothermally al- tered in the area of the jasper deposit.
  13. [13]
    ferruginous jasper and chert deposits associated with island-arc ...
    May 21, 2015 · The studied jasper and chert deposits are quite similar to banded iron formations both in texture, mineralogy and geochemistry. However, they ...
  14. [14]
    A trace element study of siderite–jasper banded iron formation in the ...
    We propose a volcanic caldera setting as a likely depositional environment where jasper and siderite precipitated as alternating bands in response to episodic ...
  15. [15]
    Chalcedony - Gemstones - USGS Application Service
    Chalcedony includes carnelian, sard, plasma, prase, bloodstone, onyx, sardonyx, chrysoprase, thundereggs, agate, flint, chert, jasper, petrified wood, and ...
  16. [16]
    [PDF] GEM STONES IN WASHINGTON - WA DNR
    jasper, plain jasper, and occasionally chalcedonic jasper of various kinds occur in considerable quantity as pebbles and cobbles. These materials may be ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  17. [17]
    The Rockhounder: Agate, chert, jasper, and petrified wood between ...
    They can form in different ways; one of the most common is through groundwater action by the leaching of highly siliceous rocks, filling rock fractures and ...
  18. [18]
    Jasper - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
    Originating from Anglo-French and Latin via Greek, "Jasper" means a precious stone; also an English form of Caspar, Persian for "treasure-holder," used as a ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  19. [19]
    JASPER Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com
    Word History and Origins. Origin of jasper. C14: from Old French jaspe, from Latin jaspis, from Greek iaspis, of Semitic origin; related to Assyrian ashpū, ...
  20. [20]
    JASPER definition in American English - Collins Dictionary
    jasper in American English. (ˈdʒæspər ). nounOrigin: ME jaspre < MFr < L ... origin; related to Assyrian ashpū, Arabic yashb, Hebrew yāshpheh. Examples of ...
  21. [21]
    [PDF] Identifying the Stones of Classical Hebrew - OAPEN Home
    been identified as jasper, usually of the green varietal. This has an etymolog- ical basis—English jasper comes from Old French jaspre, from Latin iaspis,.
  22. [22]
    None
    ### Summary of Jasper Use in Mehrgarh for Bow Drills, Tools, and Bead Making (4th-5th Millennium BC)
  23. [23]
    None
    ### Summary of Jasper Use in Minoan Seals and Vases, ca. 1800 BC
  24. [24]
    heart-scarab | British Museum
    Description: Green jasper and gold heart-scarab of Sobekemsaf II: the human-headed jasper scarab is inset into a cloison in a hollow sheet gold plinth with ...
  25. [25]
    Scarab Inscribed with Blessing Related to Horus - Third Intermediate ...
    This scarab is delicately cut from a semi-precious stone, probably green jasper. Green stones were often used for the manufacture of amulets: for the ...
  26. [26]
    The Indus Bead Industry: Contributions to Bead Technology - Harappa
    The gold beads are hollow and the pendant agate and jasper beads are attached with thick gold wire. Steatite beads with gold caps serve to separate each of the ...
  27. [27]
    [PDF] THEOPHRASTUS ON STONES
    The curious ancient distinction of sex in precious stones, which is mentioned in other early works, was apparently not connected with theories about the ...
  28. [28]
    The stone-to-metal transition reflected in the Iron Age copper ...
    Dec 19, 2023 · Metalwork was a major technological innovation that displaced stone-tool technologies and transformed human society and the environment.Missing: jasper post-
  29. [29]
    Origin of Banded Iron Formations: Links with Paleoclimate ... - MDPI
    Precambrian BIFs were formed mainly in two periods: Archean to Paleoproterozoic (3.8~1.8 Ga) and Late Neoproterozoic (0.8~0.6 Ga) [3,4,5,6]. The peak of BIFs ...
  30. [30]
    Palaeomagnetic study of Archaean Banded Hematite Jasper Rocks ...
    Hematite pigment (<1 μm) mixed with cryptocrystalline silica and specularite (> 10 μm) is chiefly responsible for red to brown rhythmic bands in the hematite ...
  31. [31]
    [PDF] Geology and Ore Deposits of the Iron River-Crystal Falls District, Iron ...
    banded iron-formation but locally are present. They do not show distortion ... Locality A: Banded red jasper and hematite, with seams of black slate.
  32. [32]
    Sedimentary facies of iron-formation - USGS.gov
    The hematite-banded rocks consist of finely crystalline hematite interlayered with chert or jasper. Oolitic structure is common.
  33. [33]
    Paleoecological Significance of the Banded Iron-Formation
    Mar 2, 2017 · The great iron-formations of this age reflect dramatic events. Ferrous iron residual in stagnant oceans beneath an anoxygenous atmosphere may ...Missing: oxygenation | Show results with:oxygenation
  34. [34]
    [PDF] Lithology and geologic setting of Lower Proterozoic iron-formations ...
    The iron-formation is fine-grained magnetite and specular hematite with locally to commonly associated gray chert or jasper as layers, lenses, or fragments.
  35. [35]
    The Last Glacial Maximum and Acceleration of Technological ...
    “Agate” is translucent, multicolored CCS, often with a waxy finish. “Jasper” is opaque, banded CCS. A variety of opaque, solid-colored CCS varieties exist.
  36. [36]
    Characterization Studies of Ocean Jasper - Mindat
    Feb 19, 2020 · Ocean Jasper is a rare orbicular rock uniquely from Madagascar, classified as a “spherulitic chalcedony”. The rarer high-grade varieties are ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  37. [37]
    Manganese Oxides: Mineral information, data and localities.
    Oct 5, 2025 · Black dendritic films or aggregates of various visually indistinguishable black manganese oxides, which may occur on all kinds of rocks. These ...
  38. [38]
    Ocean jasper - ALEX STREKEISEN
    Like other jaspers, the rock is characterized by the presence of spherical aggregates a few mm in diameter (normally 1 to 3) that are called spherulites or orbs ...
  39. [39]
    Biggs Jasper - Geology Science
    Feb 23, 2024 · Biggs Jasper is a visually stunning variety of jasper with origins in Oregon, USA, formed through geological processes involving sedimentation, heat, and ...
  40. [40]
    Bruneau-Pattern Jasper – Multi-State Discoveries
    Mar 13, 2021 · Bruneau and Willow Creek jaspers are both thunderegg formations; that is, the jasper fills the thunderegg's interior cavity. Morrisonite and ...
  41. [41]
    The Geology, Varieties, and History of Ocean Jasper® Part One
    Jan 11, 2015 · Although commonly described as an orbicular jasper, the most recent research suggests it is the mineral chalcedony instead.
  42. [42]
  43. [43]
  44. [44]
    Improving Mindat.org : Lydite vs. Basanite
    Jan 11, 2007 · Basanite is a black jasper. It is found in Dana's System of Mineralogy 4th edition, 1854 and actually goes back to the early Greek writers.
  45. [45]
    Bloodstone Gem Guide and Properties Chart - Gemstones.com
    Bloodstone is a forest green jasper with bright red spots of iron oxide probably hematite. The green color comes from amphibole, chlorite, and pyroxene ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  46. [46]
    Leopard Skin Jasper - Geology Science
    Jan 8, 2024 · Geological Formation: Leopard Skin Jasper is primarily formed through sedimentary processes. It is a type of chert, which is a microcrystalline ...
  47. [47]
    Jasper from Zacatecas, Mexico - Mindat
    Royal Imperial Jasper deposit, Mezquital del Oro Municipality, Zacatecas, Mexico ... In ROCKS AND MINERALS Mexico this means teaching the poor and natives to sew.
  48. [48]
  49. [49]
    [PDF] Ancient gems and finger rings - Getty Museum
    The first, 215 gems purchased in 1981 (81. AN. 76) from a private collection, was published by John Boardman in Intaglios and Rings, Greek, Etruscan and Eastern ...
  50. [50]
    Engraved Scarab with Bes Fighting a Griffin - Getty Museum
    Aug 22, 2023 · The scarab form originally derived from Egypt, where it had been used for seals and amulets for centuries. However, the use of green jasper as ...Missing: ancient | Show results with:ancient
  51. [51]
  52. [52]
    Making ceramic glazes with a red jasper rock [A]
    Jan 20, 2025 · As a whole, the minerals forming the red jasper are perfect, at least theoretically speaking, to produce a glaze. It has sufficient amount of ...Missing: filler | Show results with:filler
  53. [53]
    Where Does The Idea That Crystals Are Healing Come From?
    May 10, 2024 · Today's enthusiasm for crystal healing largely stems from the New Age spiritual movement of the 1970s, which is eclectic and unsystematic in its ...
  54. [54]
  55. [55]
    The Pursuit of Sustainable Mining in Australia - The Valve Company
    Sep 26, 2022 · The Australian minerals industry launched Towards Sustainable Mining® (TSM), an award-winning accountability framework designed to help mining ...Missing: jasper 2020s
  56. [56]
    Tit (Isis knot) amulet - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    Book of the Dead chapter 156 prescribes a tit knot of red jasper at the throat of the deceased to provide him / her with the protection of Isis.Missing: ancient | Show results with:ancient
  57. [57]
    amulet | British Museum
    amulet. Museum number: EA20639. Description: Red jasper 'thet'-girdle amulet: to grant the goddess's protection, with a ribbed tube for suspension at the top.
  58. [58]
    None
    ### Summary of Jasper Amulets in Ancient Egypt for Protection
  59. [59]
    Cylinder seal with cultic scene - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    This 8th century BCE Assyrian cylinder seal, made of Jasper, shows a scorpion man, male figure, deity on a winged lion, Ishtar, and a winged sun disc. It was ...
  60. [60]
    Mesopotamian Cylinder Seal, 2334-2154 BC - Science Source Images
    Stock photo Mesopotamian Cylinder Seal, Agade period, about 2334-2154 BC. Made from jasper breccia. A cylinder seal is a small stone cylinder engraved in ...
  61. [61]
    Revelation 21:18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of ...
    The wall being made of jasper signifies the protection and eternal security of the city, reflecting God's unchanging nature and His covenant with His people.Audio · Cross · Study
  62. [62]
    Types of Native American Artifacts (U.S. National Park Service)
    Sep 28, 2021 · Saugus rhyolite, or Saugus “Jasper”, is a type of stone that was found right here in Saugus, MA and used to make stone tools! It is a type of ...
  63. [63]
    The archaeological evidence for trade between the Indus Valley and ...
    Material Sourcing and Trade Routes: The analysis of carnelian and jasper beads provides insights into the material- sourcing strategies employed by the Indus ...
  64. [64]
  65. [65]
    [PDF] crystal+colour+and+chakra+healing+dcnx.pdf
    Red (Root Chakra): Garnet, Ruby, Red Jasper – grounding, stability, security. ... The potential benefits of DCNX, and crystal healing in general, are numerous.
  66. [66]
    Do Healing Crystals Work? Lore, History, Research - Healthline
    Jul 20, 2023 · There's no scientific proof that crystals have any significant effect on energy, emotions, or mental health. Don't replace medical treatment for ...
  67. [67]
    GLOSSARY OF PRIMARY GEMSTONES USED IN METAPHYSICAL ...
    The work of dream interpreters and spiritual workers can be greatly improved with blue jasper. ... metaphysical properties of that crystal. Double Terminated: ...
  68. [68]
    Understanding people's obsession with crystals | Stanford Report
    Aug 9, 2018 · Crystals have been at the forefront of recent fashion and wellness trends. Celebrities are putting traces of these mineral rocks into their ...Missing: 2000s boom
  69. [69]
    Dark crystals: the brutal reality behind a booming wellness craze
    Sep 17, 2019 · Demand for 'healing' crystals is soaring – but many are mined in deadly conditions in one of the world's poorest countries.Missing: 2000s | Show results with:2000s
  70. [70]
    Placebo effects in alternative medical treatments for anxiety - PubMed
    Aug 26, 2025 · Nonbelievers showed no reliable improvement. Conclusion: Healing crystals did not demonstrate anxiolytic effects beyond those of the placebo.
  71. [71]
    Crystal healing: Stone-cold facts about gemstone treatments
    Jan 25, 2022 · "There is no evidence that crystal healing works over and above a placebo effect," French told Live Science. "That is the appropriate standard ...
  72. [72]
    Placebo effects in alternative medical treatments for anxiety
    Aug 26, 2025 · Healing crystals did not demonstrate anxiolytic effects beyond those of the placebo. Symptom change was mediated by expectancy and ...
  73. [73]
    How to buy crystals that don't harm people or the planet
    Feb 5, 2024 · Crystal mining can fuel worker exploitation and even armed conflicts, but there are steps consumers can take to make more ethical purchasing decisions.Missing: spiritualism | Show results with:spiritualism