By Chisom Ibemere
Jasper stone is one of the varieties of quartz that has been used for different purposes such as in making of jewellery, sculptures, and other decorative pieces. It has been used for decorative and ornamental purposes many years ago. It was greatly valued by ancient civilizations for its beautiful colours and patterns.
The name ‘jasper’ is coined from the Greek word ‘iaspis’, meaning spotted or speckled stone. It is seen all over the world, with some of the oldest known specimens coming from Egypt and the Middle East.
Jasper is well known for its use in jewellery production, decorative objects, and as a lapidary material for carving, cabochons, and beads. It is often used as a protective stone, and is believed to provide grounding, stability, and promote healing. It is also believed to have healing powers. Its unique patterns and colours make it a favoured stone for decorative purposes, such as bookends, obelisks, and other ornamental objects.
Jasper is a microcrystalline variety of quartz, and is popular and characterised by its beautiful patterns and colours. Impurities and mineral inclusions such as iron, clay, and other minerals make up its unique appearance. It may be seen in a wide variety of colours, which are red, green, blue, yellow, brown, and black. It has a hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for use in jewellery.
Jasper deposits can be seen all around the globe including North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Jasper often occurs in sedimentary rocks, and can also be seen in areas where volcanic activity has occurred. Some of the most notable deposits of jasper include areas in Oregon and Montana in the United States, and Madagascar, Brazil, and Russia.
The unique patterns and colours of Jasper make it a valued gemstone and it’s used in alternative healing practices. Its value may be dependent on factors such as size, quality, and colour. The most valuable and sought-after varieties of jasper often feature intricate patterns and layers of different colours. It is a widely available gemstone, which makes it relatively affordable compared to some other types of gemstones.