Jasper

Kambaba jasper is not a true jasper and should be called "Kabamba stone". This material comes from Madagascar and It is often reported to contain fossil stromatolites, but this is not true. It is a volcanic rock made up of a green quartz, aegirine, potassium feldspar and black amphibole that creates the orbicular and swirling patterns.

Bloodstone, once known as heliotrope, comes from Australia, Brazil, India, and the United States. It has a dark green body color caused by small particles of chlorite, speckled with red iron oxide inclusions. It has been used as signet rings and decorative objects since ancient times and remains popular today.

Porcelain jasper, which is also known as exotica, santefe or scifi jasper comes from the area around Sonora, Mexico. The stone has a cream or white background with gray, mauve, maroon and plum colors creating unique patterns.

Brecciated jaspers are often found in earthquake prone locations. The stone shows cracks that were formed during tectonic movements and then became re-cemented back together.

Orbicular jaspers contain rounded zones or concentric circular rings that differ from the main body color. Many orbicular jaspers sold in the market are actually agate or rhyolite.

Ocean jasper is a variety of orbicular jasper. Most ocean jaspers are agate which is the translucent variety of chalcedony. The best ocean jasper comes from Madagascar where it gets its name from the beach location where it is found.

Poppy or flower jasper is a type of orbicular jasper that gets its name from the red rings that look like a poppy flower. Some varieties are mustard in color and looks like a mustard yellow ocean jasper. Some flower jaspers are actually rhyolite.

Scenic or picture jasper gets its name from the patterns that are reminiscent of landscapes paintings. Most come in earth tones, but other colors are possible. Some of the best known varieties are sunset, rocky butte, Biggs, Deschutes, Wild Horse Canyon, Royal Sahara, and Owyhee Jaspers.

Leopard or leopard skin jasper is a variety of rhyolite and not a true jasper and comes from Mexico. It is tan with green, red, and zones resembling leopard spots.

Rainforest jasper is a variety of rhyolite lava found in Mt Hay, in Central Queensland, Australia. It is green or brownish in color with red and cream zones. When the lava cooled gas bubbles became trapped in the material. Later agate, quartz or opal filled the voids.

Basanite is a black, glassy variety of jasper also known as touchstone. It is used by jewelers to test the streak of precious-metal alloys.

Fossilized jasper is sometimes better known as “petrified” material. Bone, coral, fern, shell, and wood can be replaced by silica and preserves the structure of the original material.