JASPER

Characteristics of the mineral.

Chalcedony with a large number of impurities in the form of a finely dispersed colorant (including iron and aluminum oxides) is called jasper. Siliceous rock of sedimentary or volcanic origin. It consists of microscopic quartz grains cemented with chalcedony with large impurities, and quartz. It is a very hard inorganic ornamental mineral that can be confused with softer colored varieties of marble (organic origin). The color of jasper can be red, blue, green, violet, white and even black. There are jasper monochrome, but most often they are spotty or with colorful stripes (motley, ribbon, striped, mottled, etc.). For the beneficial effects on the owner, jasper stands in line with cornelian and rock crystal.

Among the numerous varieties of quartz formations, there is one that has absorbed the entire spectrum of sunlight-yellow-red, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, purple, almost black and white. Such a complete palette of colors does not know any stone in the world. In ancient literature the concept of jasper had a collective character. All solid, variegated stones were called jasper, including jade, volcanic rocks - porphyry, hornfels, flints, etc. In the XIX century. Only siliceous hard, well polished rocks began to be called jasper. Jasper is a rock, containing significant amounts of quartz, which can enter jasper in any manifestation. The origin of the jasper itself is associated with volcanic activity, but the process of formation of this rock occurs locally. When jasper is formed, it is necessary to use high temperatures and huge pressures. All this predetermined a huge number of varieties of jasper. Jaspers are often found in the form of solid masses, less often in the form of kidneys and balls.

High hardness of this stone, as well as the ability to chip and create very thin and sharp cutting edges have long been seen by a man who used jasper for household and household needs. Initially jasper and flint were extracted from the surface of the earth. However, already 3-4 thousand years ago the extraction of stone underground began.

Deposits of jasper are found everywhere, but the most famous are the jasper of the Urals and Altai. In the Urals, the jasper belt stretches from north to south. The most famous deposits are located near the city of Orsk. Orskoye deposit is a reservoir of variegated landscape and ribbon jasper on diabases. The variegated jasper has the form of lenticular bodies with a thickness of 0.2-3 m long up to 40 m, on Mount Colonel - irregular, veined bodies. Mineral composition of Orsk jasper: grains of quartz 2-10 microns in size, less often up to 40 microns, grains of pomegranate up to 3 microns, hematite in the dust state, magnetite in the form of octahedra up to 20 microns in beet bands. At 1.5 km west of the mountain Colonel is located the Western deposit. Jasper pink to red with areas that look like drops of blood. The composition of jasper is somewhat different: quartz, garnet (up to 20%), hematite (up to 2%), pyrite, actinolite, chlorite. 34 km south of the Colonel mountain is the Anastasievskoye jasper deposit, which is a system of small lenses up to 20 m long and up to 4 m thick. Jasper red color with a non-uniform structure. As part of these jasper, the amount of hematite is increased to 5%. The jasper of the Kalinovskoye deposit, located 30 km north of the Colonel Mountain, is very beautiful. Here lie tape jasper, in which the dark-red layers alternate with green ones. The structure of jasper includes: garnet - up to 13%, hematite - up to 1%, pyrite - up to 1%, quartz - up to 8.5%.

Deposits of jasper species are also found in the Crimea (Karadag), Eastern Siberia (on the Lower Tunguska River), Armenia and in a number of other regions of the CIS. Abroad, large deposits of jasper are known in the US (California, Oregon, etc.), Japan, Czechoslovakia, Germany, India, Venezuela. At present, jasper plays a significant role in engineering. However, in general, jasper is used for making jewelry, sculptures and architecture for interior decoration.

Magic properties of stones.

Carnelian, crystal and jasper fit absolutely all people. Jasper is the mascot of a calm and prosperous home, where order and harmony prevail in all areas of life, for it protects the owner from negative influences and cleans the space of all "outsiders". It is a stone-amulet and a talisman of alchemists, people of science, travelers, explorers, in general all who aspire to knowledge in any forms and manifestations. The stone repels aggressive wild animals. Jasper is a talisman of beauty, grace and wealth. The cold tones of jasper reflect particularly rapidly the attacks of all evil beings and essences, and the owner gives courage and fortitude.

Jasper is a wonderful and unselfish energy giver. The elongated shapes of the articles (oval, drop, triangle, top, etc.) contribute to the energy of the owner's soul, and the spherical forms create conditions for the accumulation of energy in the body, which is especially useful for people who have an explosive temperament and are prone to outbreaks. The stone is also an excellent protector of those who are dear to the owner, especially if it is unnoticeably put in their pocket, bag, etc. Yashma in ancient times often laid the floors in the temples, especially in secret rooms, where no outsider should have penetrated: she is beautiful Protects from unnecessarily curious. Jasper dishes, caskets, boxes, bowls, vases are a good wardrobe not only at home, but also those items that should be cherished and stored. Vases and similar vases, especially elongated and large, quickly relieve fatigue and tone, if you touch them and be in such a room. The stone is able to act even at a distance, if, for example, a portrait is inserted into a jasper frame. However, this quality is distinguished by carnelian and all chalcedony.

Oceanic Madagascar jasper.

This unusual breed was found in a bedrock along the northwest coast of Madagascar after several years of unsuccessful searches. The deposit is a rhyolite stream that has been completely silicated. Oceanic jasper is mined only in one mine near Marowato. The deposit, as it is located on the edge of the ocean, can be observed and developed only at low tide. In this remote part of the island there are no roads, therefore the extracted material (Madagascar agates and jasper) is exported by boats. They have a bright pattern of concentric circles.

Oceanic Jasper. Madagascar.

Jasper Madagascar, Skarn Dalnegorsk and other ornamental stones. Photo: © А.А. Evseev.

Jasper. Zavalievsky K-r, Pobuzhye, Ukraine. Photo: © А.А. Evseev.