Description

Jasper, a form of chalcedony, is an opaque variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown, green, and rarely, blue in color. The color stems from the mineral content of the original sediments or ash. During the formation of jasper, flow and depositional patterns arise in the silica rich sediment or volcanic ash. The name is derived from Old French (jaspre) and means “spotted or speckled stone”. Many jaspers are named for their locality (Bruneau Jasper), others for their appearance (Dalmation Stone). Picture Jaspers exhibit combinations of patterns that look like scenes or images. Diffusion from a center produces a distinctive orbicular appearance (Leopard Skin Jasper, Ocean Jasper) Healed fragmented rock produces Brecciated (broken) Jasper.