Jasper is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. A rich palette of shades, exquisite patterns, the physical properties of this stone, an unusual texture attract jewelers and stone carvers. What jasper is, we will tell in this material. You will learn how this mineral looks, how it is formed when it was mined and where it is used.
Jasper description
The concept of "jasper" combines a large class of siliceous rocks. Amazing patterns on the surface of the mineral and a diverse color are formed due to various impurities, which affect the appearance of this semiprecious stone. The color palette of jasper is wide - from white to red and blue. Violet, green and even black minerals are found. Pure color stones are almost never found in nature. More often, various inclusions are present in the structure of jasper. They create stripes, light or dark spots, ornaments that resemble fantastic landscapes.
In ancient times, in Russia, jasper was called a jasper. This name comes from the Greek iaspis, which translates as "motley". In Europe, the mineral had several names: German lapis, tiger stone, meat agate. The current name of the mineral became popular in the 50s of the XIX century.
When they began to mine and use the mineral
People have known about jasper since the Neolithic era. In those days, people appreciated this stone for its high hardness. Tools were made from it, tips for spears and arrows. This fact is confirmed by the numerous finds of archaeologists discovered during excavations in the territories where the sites of Neanderthals were located.
Like most semiprecious stones, jasper was used in jewelry when the art of processing this mineral reached a fairly high level. The stone was considered magical and sacred. For this reason, amulets, talismans, and symbols of religion were made of it. Jewelry from jasper began to appear on the clothes of rulers and priests.
In the Middle Ages, jasper was used to decorate temples and churches. In Europe, the mineral was considered a symbol of modesty and fortitude, courage. That is why monks and priests wore jasper. The active use of this semiprecious stone in Russia began only in the 18th century, when the gem became especially popular as a durable and beautiful facing material.
It was used to decorate palace halls and rooms, inlaid with magnificent furniture in jasper. These masterpieces were paintings made of the thinnest plates of jasper. In all centuries, the Ural jasper has been recognized as the highest quality. In the 19th century, it was considered an unrivaled leader among all the minerals mined in the world.
Stone formation
To understand what jasper is, it is necessary to learn how the mineral is formed in nature. The basis of semi-precious stone, which refers to quartz crystals, is silicon. Any mineral rock, which includes quartz grains, connected by a silicon-chalcedony cement composition, can be called jasper.
For a long time, geologists were interested in the origin of jasper, but the peak of the study of this amazing mineral occurred in the XVIII-XIX centuries. There are a huge number of varieties of jasper, and the occurrence of some of them remains a mystery today.
Scientists have come to the conclusion that high-quality jasper is primarily a volcanic rock. In addition, there are varieties that formed during the petrification of ancient marine animals and plants.
Chemical characteristics of the mineral
Chalcedony and quartz make up from 60% to 95% of the total mass of the stone. The remainder is manganese and iron oxides. These metals in various proportions are painted in green, brown, black and blue color jasper. The chemical formula of this mineral is characteristic of quartz - SiO 2 . Its composition can be quite high level of impurities (up to 20%). Jasper can contain the following elements:
- Hematite. Mineral thanks to him is painted in a pale pink or deep red color.
- Iron. Gives the mineral shades of yellow and brown.
- Magnetite. The stone is painted in rather rare colors - black and purple.
- Chlorite. With a high content of this substance, jasper acquires the whole gamut of green shades.
Often in nature, jasper is found mixed with pomegranate. Depends on its shade, the jasper formed will be red or green. Rarer and more valuable specimens are stones that contain fossils of ancient algae.
Physical properties
What is jasper in view of its physical properties? This is an opaque semi-precious stone with a characteristic polish wax shine. Its main characteristic is hardness, which is about 7 units according to Mohs. The density of the mineral varies from 2.65 to 2.7 g / cm 3 . The stone is easily processed and polished. Due to its durability and long service life, it is a popular ornamental material.
Major deposits
Jasper deposits are found all over the world. The largest and most famous of them are located in Russia, India, the USA, Egypt, and in some European countries - Germany, France, and the Czech Republic. The most ancient mining sites are concentrated in Egypt and India.
The most famous deposits of jasper in our country are located in Altai and in the Southern Urals. In the Urals, deposits stretch from north to south. Eight unique types of jasper are mined here:
- Landscape (variegated, orsky). Black and brown dendrites of iron oxides resemble shrubs and trees. The gray background of the minerals resembles a hazy, hazy morning sky.
- Kalinin plain, gray-greenish jasper.
- Koshkuldinsky ribbon, which has no analogues in the world, with beautiful combinations of thin dark or bright red and raspberry, green stripes.
- Yamskiy streaky dark cherry or fawn color.
- Malomuinakovo ribbon, with a unique ink-jet pattern of wide dark green and fawn ribbons.
- Aumkul landscape jasper of gentle fawn with brownish or black tree-like images.
- Varicoloured Urazovskaya jasper.
- Crimson-colored Berkutinsky.
The most unusual variegated varieties are mined on Mount Colonel in Orsk.
Jasper application
Jasper is a mineral appreciated by experts and connoisseurs of gems for its decorative effect. A variety of colors and patterns allows the use of the mineral in jewelry and stone cutting. Jasper jewelry (photos of some samples you can see below) are quite interesting, elegant. And this despite the fact that, as a rule, silver and brass act as the basis, much less often - gold. Paintings and decor items from this mineral are highly appreciated. Tourists from abroad are happy to purchase souvenirs from this mineral.
Due to the high strength of the stone, it is used as a technical raw material. Prisms, rolls, stone mortars, etc. are made from it. Jasper is also used in interiors as an elite and expensive finishing material used to decorate walls and floors, fireplaces and columns. Little jasper can be used to decorate the site and garden.
Healing properties
Since ancient times, people have known what jasper is. The healing properties of the mineral have been used since ancient times. In China, liver, kidney, and stomach diseases were treated with jasper. The ancient Romans were sure that wearing this stone on the neck significantly accelerates recovery from many ailments. And the Greeks believed that the healing power of a stone depends on its color:
- White jasper helps from despondency and depression, relieves the condition in neurotic disorders.
- Red jasper was used to stop bleeding. It is used to prevent many female ailments, normalize the menstrual cycle in blood pathologies.
- Brown mineral prolongs youth, is able to treat dermatitis and allergies, mental disorders.
- Yellow jasper has a beneficial effect on the endocrine system, improves the absorption of vitamins C, B and A, various trace elements. It treats the pathology of the gallbladder and removes toxins from the body.
- Green mineral improves digestion and respiration, smell and vision, strengthens blood vessels.
Magical properties
Astrologers around the world recognize the magical properties of jasper. In ancient times, tiles were made from minerals, which were placed on the thresholds of temples, decorated with doors leading to hiding places where sacred relics were kept.
Talismans and amulets protected people from evil eye and damage, and the house - from intruders and thieves. Quite often decorated purses with jasper to prevent theft. In the hilt of the sword, warriors inserted it to protect themselves from enemies.
Properties of stone: who suits jasper?
The elements of the mineral are Earth and Air, and its planets - Jupiter and Mercury.
Jasper relieves the Virgin of the passion for teachings, makes their character more reasonable and easy. Suitable mineral and Capricorn (but only light shades). Under the influence of a gem, Taurus will forget about outbursts of anger, get rid of conservatism, and gain flexible thinking. Still who suits jasper stone? The properties of the mineral, according to astrologers, patronize creative people, so it suits Aquarius and Gemini. A talisman with such a stone should be acquired by Libra: it will give them great confidence in their abilities, and will relieve them of the doubts that haunt them. Jasper helps Sagittarius and Leo to find peace of mind. But Aries can harm a stone: representatives of this sign may lose confidence in themselves, the mineral will bring failure to them.
Jasper supports the sensitive and vulnerable representatives of the sign of Pisces. She gives them creative ideas. Significantly softens the gem character of Scorpio, establishes its contact with people. The mineral can be useful for Cancers, but only its light shades (white, blue, light green). Red stones will make Cancer experience more failures, will deprive of mental strength.
Interesting facts about jasper
We told you about jasper. A few interesting facts about the mineral will complement the information received:
- This mineral is today considered one of the powerful healing stones.
- The unique Buddha statue, which is entirely carved from green jasper, weighs five tons. She is in one of the temples of Thailand.
- A very hard mineral, which was a symbol of endurance, was used in the manufacture of maces for Bogdan Khmelnitsky himself.
- The Hermitage houses a huge collection of jasper products. A giant vase with a diameter of more than five meters, weighing 19 tons, is the largest exhibit in the museum. The vase is made of jealous jasper, which is distinguished by an exquisite ribbon ornament and a greenish tint.
- Jasper was also used to decorate the palaces of the Moscow Kremlin: fireplaces were faced with a beautiful blue stone.
- Some gem nuggets were so valuable that they were equated with precious stones.
- Many prominent Russian artists and scientists appreciated jasper. Lomonosov and Pushkin especially loved this stone. The latter believed that jasper gives good luck in love.
How to distinguish a real stone from a fake?
Most often, natural stone is replaced with ordinary plastic. In order not to buy a fake instead of a genuine decoration, you need to pay attention to several aspects:
- Plastic, unlike hard and dense jasper, is a fragile material.
- Natural stone has a characteristic waxy sheen, it is not transparent and is easily polished with suede.
- The stone stays cold longer in the hand, unlike plastic.
- Jasper is significantly heavier in weight than plastic of the same size.
In order not to purchase fake, never buy gems on street stalls. Significantly reduced the risk of acquiring fake jewelry in a jewelry store. But there you should not lose vigilance.