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Gemstone
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Species
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Gemstone:
Picture Jasper
Birthstone Month:
Jasper is associated with the birthstone month of January.
Zodiac:
Jasper is associated with the zodiac signs of Aquarius and Leo.
Chemical Symbol:
SiO2
Chemical Comp:
Jasper is a microcrystalline variety of Quartz, and a member of the Chalcedony family. It often contains organic material and iron oxides that account for its interesting patterns, bands, and colors.
History & Lore:
The name Jasper means “spotted stone”, and is ultimately derived from the Persian word 'yashp'.
Jasper was a favorite gemstone of ancient times and can be traced back to Greek, Hebrew, Persian, Latin, and Assyrian literature.
Jasper is a protective stone and is said to align the chakras and balance the yin and yang energies. In legend Jasper was believed to protect against evil spirits and forces and was also believed to bring courage and relief from pain. It is also said to protect against venomous snake and spider bites.
Picture Jasper in particular is considered to be a strong gemstone for promoting environmental consciousness and brotherhood to care for our planet. In addition to this, it is believed to contain vistas and messages from the past, and can aid the wearer with the recollection of earlier significant memories.
Availability:
Picture Jasper is generally readily available at affordable prices. However, availability differs from one Picture Jasper variety to the next, and some varieties are in fact classified as rare.
Sources:
Some of the world's finest Picture Jasper Deposits are mined in eastern Oregon and Idaho. In addition to this, noteworthy specimens have come from Brazil, Egypt, and Uruguay.
Evaluation:
Jasper is rated at 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness and should be protected from scratches and sharp blows. Picture Jasper is petrified or silicated mud that has dripped into gas pockets in molten lava, becoming super-heated, then solidified forming gemstones exhibiting stunning patterns.
The presence of Iron deposits create the fascinating landscape patterns of dark greens, brick reds, creams, browns, grays, and blacks that can look like an abstract painting depicting scenes from the western United States.
The value of Picture Jaspers is determined by the saturation and richness of the colors, the beauty of the exhibited landscape patterns, and the design in which it is formed.
Common Cuts:
Jasper has been used for sculptures, bowls, vases, seals, and other ornamentation purposes dating back thousands of years. As a gemstone, Picture Jasper is most commonly found cut into cabochons and beads.
Routine Enhancements:
There are no known enhancements for Picture Jasper.
Care & Cleaning:
Jaspers are often sealed with petroleum products therefore they should not be cleaned with water because it can remove the coating / polish. It is best to clean your Jasper jewelry with a soft dry cloth. As with most gemstones, Jaspers should be kept away from prolonged exposure to extremes of heat and household chemicals that can damage the stone. Always keep your Jasper jewelry in a fabric-lined box away from other jewelry items in order to to avoid damage / scratching.
