

Gray jaspers are believed to bring serenity and unity, as well as filter distractions and increase motivation. Due to its earthy colors and microcrystalline quartz structure, Jasper is considered to be a nurturing stone. The Greek origin of the word jasper, iaspis, means "spotted stone." Jasper has a dull luster but takes a fine polish, and its hardness and other physical properties are those of quartz. It derives its colorful patterns from other minerals present, and is often named according to its pattern. Jasper is a semiprecious chalcedony (or microcrystalline quartz). Many of the beads on each strand are striped, and some are spotted, giving the effect of a fuzzy bumblebee with patches of pollen, weaving through the air from flower to flower. (You'll probably want to shift to other stones for the blues and purples, as those are not the normal colors for jaspers - however, Sonora jasper, porcelain jasper and purple creek jasper do have hints of purple.)īumblebee Jasper is a warm mixture of yellows and grays, with some white and orange. If using jasper beads for chakras, choose a jasper that contains colors relevant to the chakras that are the target of your focus: Reds for the root (or base) chakra, oranges for the sacral chakra, shades of yellow for the navel chakra, green for the heart chakra, etc. and elsewhere.ĭue to its earthy colors and microcrystalline quartz structure, Jasper is considered to be a nurturing stone. Jasper is mined in North Africa, Sicily, France, India, Venezuela, Germany, the U.S.A. Landscape jaspers are amongst the most popular varieties. Some also say that it gives you the courage to speak out, and the bravery to achieve personal independence. Some also use it to drive away evil spirits and protect against snake and spider bites. In the fourth century, it was called the great "rain-bringer," and it has been thought to strengthen the stomach and cure gynecological troubles. The gem was a favorite in the ancient world, and the name jasper can be traced back in Hebrew, Assyrian, Persian, Greek and Latin. Its polish might wash away in water, so clean with a soft, dry cloth. Jasper is often sealed with petroleum products. Jasper derives its colorful patterns from other minerals present, and is often named according to its pattern.


Two popular "jasper" gemstones, rainforest jasper and leopardskin jasper, are actually rhyolite. Rhyolite gemstone beads can look very similar to jasper, but rhyolites are igneous rock that is chemically identical to granite. Although the term jasper is often applied to unidentified stones, true jaspers are metamorphic rocks. Jasper contains microscopic "grains" of crystalline quartz and agate has microscopic "fibers" of crystalline quartz. This distinction stems from the stones' composition. Another difference between the two is that jaspers are generally opaque, while agates tend to be translucent (or at least contain translucent bands). Its patterns are much less regular and defined than agate, the other chalcedony variety. Jasper is a semiprecious chalcedony (or microcrystalline quartz), and is usually red, brown or green. Organizers/ Storage for Jewelry Parts/ Tools.Bench Blocks, Bench Pins, Pads & Anvils.
