Jasper is one of the most popular gemstones used in the jewelry industry throughout history. Just about anyone can enjoy its endless variety, no matter their style. Jasper stones are a great addition to your jewelry collection due to their unlimited hues, unique patterns, and affordability.
Keep reading to learn about the stone, its uses, and its dazzling types.
What Is a Jasper Stone?
A Jasper stone is a an opaque, fine-grained, or dense gemstone that comes in a variety of colors. The most common color, brownish-red, comes from admixed hematite. Other colors can occur when Jasper is clay admixed, causing it to be yellow, white, gray, or multi-color. Very rarely, you may find Jasper in green or blue. Jasper stones can also form when volcanic ash or fine pyroclastics bond with silica precipitation into a solid material.
Some facts about the Jasper Stone:
- The Jasper stone is one of the birthstones for March.
- Many believe Jasper to have medicinal values, wearing the stone to alleviate stomach issues.
- The term Jasper comes from the Latin and Old French words for "spotted or speckled stone."
Jasper Stone Identification and Characteristics
Here are some quick facts about Jasper stones and their characteristics:
General information about Jasper Stone:
- Hardness scale: between 6.5 and 7
- Color variants: Most commonly red, but can be yellow, brown, green, or rarely blue
- Crystal structure: Hexagonal crystal system
- Mineral variety: Chalcedony, which is a variety of Quartz
- Dallasite - A type of Jasper from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
- Orbicular Jasper - Jasper that contains numerous spherical inclusions.
- Luster: Vitreous
- Cleavage: Indiscernible
- Fracture: Conchoidal, splintery
- Luminescence: None
- Treatments: Dyed blue to imitate lapis, "Swiss lapis," heat treatments
Jasper Stone Clarity
Jasper stones have up to 20% inclusions, or imperfections, which is the nature of the stone. It is 1.54-1.55 on the Refractive Index and is opaque.
With up to 20% inclusions in many Jasper gemstones, that's just the nature of the stone.
- Refractive Index: 1.54 – 1.55
- Transparency: Opaque
Jasper Stone Carat Sizes
Jasper stone comes in various carat sizes, but the carat weight doesn't necessarily determine the gemstone's size. Some Jasper stones are large but don't weigh much, while other gems are tiny but weigh more. Rather than relying on the carat weight, focus on its dimensional size.
Jasper Stone in Jewelry
Jasper is extremely versatile, and can be used in any style. Depending on its cut, Jasper can suit boho, hippie, classic, and elegant looks alike. Jasper stones have various spots and patterns, so no two stones are exactly alike. Jewelers use them for bracelets and necklaces, as well as centerpieces for rings and earrings.
Jasper Stone Color, Pattern & Shape
Here are the most common and unique colors, patterns, and shapes of Jasper.
Color
The Jasper stone’s color greatly affects its value. Red Jasper is the most common variety of this gemstone, and it is also the most sought-after. Green and blue are infrequent colors that are also popular for their unique and rare beauty. There is also orange, brown, white, black, gray, and yellow Jasper, but they are less popular.
Pattern
Most of the time, Jasper is multicolored with a distinctive pattern. Because there are several Jasper varieties, each type of gemstone has its identifying markers.
Here are some patterns you can find in Jasper:
- Circles
- Swirls
- Rings
- Speckled
- Geometric
- Feathery
- Spiderweb
Shape
You can find Jasper in various shapes in sizes, including hearts, rounded, pear-shaped, oval-shaped, and more. Jasper is cut en cabochon, a technique which polishes and rounds the stone, allowing light to reflect and enhance its brilliance. This is different from other gemstones with a faceted cut.
Treatments and Enhancement
Jasper stones are most often beautiful straight from the earth. In some cases, Jasper may be heat-treated to to darken, lighten, or enrich the colors. Using heat treatment, exposure to a high temperature will alter the color and improve the clarity. Sometimes, other rocks are dyed to imitate Jasper.
Jasper's Healing Properties and Meanings
Often referred to as the "Supreme Nurturer," Jasper is known to sustain and support you during times of stress by bringing serenity and wholeness. Jasper stones are thought to absorb negative energy, providing protection when worn.
Jasper can help to:
- Ground you and provide stability
- helps alleviate stress and induce tranquility
- provide comfort and security, strength, and healing
- eliminate negative energy
- balance the aura to a level of wholeness and peace
- aid in banishing nightmares or harmful thoughts
Physical Healing Properties
Jasper stone is said to stimulate circulation, fortify your immune system, and have an anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effect. It's mainly known for its help with sexual and digestive organs. Jasper provides you with positive energies, so you may experience extended sexual pleasure or support during a long period of illness. Many individuals enjoy Jasper as a water crystal because it won't overstimulate the body.
Emotional and Mental Healing Properties
Judy Hall, a crystal expert, speaks highly of this protective stone’s healing properties. Jasper infuses courage and readiness to tackle conflict when dealing with things. It stimulates honesty and openness towards you and others. Jasper can stimulate your imagination and turn ideas into action while allowing you to persevere to the end.
Jasper Stone Sources
Jasper can be found worldwide but is usually found in India, Russia, Egypt, Madagascar, Australia, and South and North America.
Though it's common all over the US, you can find the most popular varieties in these states:
- Oregon
- Idaho
- Washington
- California
- Arizona
- Utah
Jasper Stone History
Even though Jasper is an affordable and common gemstone today, it was once highly valuable. Jasper dates as far back as the 4th and 5th millennium BC, and can be found referenced in the bible. Jasper was highly used in Medieval Times, including this ancient cup, which can be found at the Met. Along with providing a connection to God, Jasper was thought to heal those possessed by the devil. In the fourth century, wearing green Jasper was thought to bring rain and remedy snake bites.
Some of the most ancient stone tools were fashioned from quartz varieties, including Jasper. Jasper tools included axes, stone drills, scrapers, knives, and arrowheads.
The Most Popular Types of Jasper
1. Biggs Jasper
Biggs Jasper is a rare American Jasper found in Biggs Junction, Oregon. Its colors range of brown shades, from beige to chocolate brown. This variety exhibits intricate shell-like patterns. Mud from volcanic ash deposited on basalt terrain, heating and compressing to form Biggs Jasper.
2. Heliotrope (Bloodstone)
Bloodstone is a dark green Jasper wiith bright red spots of Red Jasper or iron oxide inclusions. Bloodstone formed when magma rose to the earth's surface and began cooling. It is believed to ward off bullying and can increase mental clarity and decision making.
3. Brecciated Jasper
Brecciated Jasper contains the iron compound hematite, red tones, and dark bands. It is predominantly deep red-veined or patterned with brown, black, and beige--and sometimes has apparent crystal inclusions.
4. Dalmatian Jasper
Dalmatian Jasper, is found and mined in Chihuahua, Mexico. It is a famous stone that resembles the Dalmatian dog. The Dalmatian Jasper is said to increase your happiness and helps you to let go of negativity.
5. Green Jasper
Green Jasper ranges in shades of green. Green Jasper gets its color from iron silicate compounds, such as chlorite. It formed when fine volcanic ash became a solid material. Green Jasper is a stone that represents balance and shares a connection to the heart chakra.
6. Imperial Jasper
Imperial Jasper mainly has an "egg" pattern and comes in various colors. This Jasper forms in the veins of large nodules in a host rock.
7. Kambaba Jasper
Kambaba Jasper is a fossilized blue-green alga from 22 million years ago, giving it its bluish-green color. It often has a mottled pattern with black specks, spots, or swirls.
8. Mookaite Jasper
Mookaite Jasper comes in deep red to bright yellow with white, tan, brown, pink, and purple. The flow of silica-rich sediments determines the patterns of Mookaite Jasper, formed during mineral consolidation.The stone naturally forms with fissures and cracks, which are refilled later by other minerals, creating the distinctive pattern.
9. Morrisonite
Morrisonite is known for its orb-like patterns or unique swirls and high ceramic look. It’s aluminum and iron inclusions are responsible for its exquisite colors.This colorful Jasper stone formed when silicic rhyolite trapped volcanic ash as the lava cooled.
10. Ocean Jasper
Ocean Jasper is one of the most popular Jasper varieties.It is a multicolored stone, usually with spherical patterning. The microstructures within Ocean Jasper formed during the alteration of former tuffs and silicification. Ocean Jasper is unique in that it is transparent, but not clear.
11. Picture Jasper
Picture Jasper comes in earthy colors, including cream, brown, grey, and orange. Found in Africa and Brazil, Picture Jasper is formed from mineral consolidation.
12. Zebra Jasper
Zebra Jasper is famous for its speckled warm brick red and dark green appearance. It formed over 500 million years ago when detrital clay deposits compacted into layers, forming distinctive red and brown bandings. These banding patterns may appear as waves, spots, or straight lines.
Other Types of Jasper
- African Jasper
- Brazilian Jasper
- Bruneau Jasper
- Bumblebee Jasper
- Carrasite Jasper
- Chemical Jaspers
- Dendritic Jasper
- Drusy Jasper
- Fancy Jasper
- Genesis Stone
- Green Hair Jasper
- Impression Jasper
- Jasper Beads
- Jasper Cameo
- Jaspers Pseudomorphic on Fossils
- Kona Jasper
- Leopard Jasper
- Massive Blocky Jaspers
- Maligano Jasper
- Morrisonite Jasper
- Noreena Jasper
- Orbed Jaspers
- Owyhee Jasper
- Picasso Jasper
- Rainforest Jasper
- Red Creek Jasper
- Rough Jasper
- Sea Jasper
- Rhyolitic Jaspers
- Spider Web Jasper
- Stratiform (Layered) Jaspers
- Turquoise Jasper
- Unakite
Jasper's Value
Jasper's value ranges between $1 and $5 per carat, depending on the type. Compared to other popular gemstones, Jasper is easily found and is more affordable. Rarity, colors, and patterns determine the value of a Jasper stone.
Some types of Jasper are rare, such as Madagascar Jasper, and are more expensive. Like blue or green, rare colors may also be more costly because they are uncommon.
Jasper Stone Jewelry Care & Maintenance
Here are some tips to keep your Jasper stone looking like new for years to come:
- Do's
- Clean using a warm, soapy water mixture with a soft cloth or a brush
- Store your Jasper in a different box from other stones
- Don'ts
- Do not soak Jasper
- Do not expose the stone to prolonged heat
- Do not use harsh soap or chemicals for cleaning
- Do not use any mechanical cleaners such as ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners.
Jasper Stone Alternatives
Jasper is a chalcedony gemstone, so many other gems from this mineral family will work similarly.
These gemstones include:
- agate stone
- black onyx stone
- carnelian stone
- sardonyx stone
If you want Jasper stone for the look and not for the healing properties, you may be able to find stones that are dyed to look like Jasper stones.
A Quick Jasper Buying Guide
With so many Jasper varieties, there is something for everyone. When looking at the many types of Jasper, choose the one that best suits you. Remember that the stone's worth is dictated by its rarity, pattern, and properties. The use of Jasper stone in the jewelry industry is backed by time and culture.
Jasper is sold on Etsy, an online platform with over 2 million sellers. Due to the volume of sellers, you will need to do a little research to ensure the gemstones are legitimate. Read the reviews before making any gemstone purchases to ensure no one else has complained of quality.
