Jasper properties and virtues



Jasper comes in more than 50 varieties with many colours, giving it different properties and virtues.

Characteristics of jasper

Jasper is a dense, opaque, microcrystalline variety of quartz. Fibrous and granular varieties of quartz are often grouped under the name chalcedony , although jasper microcrystals are arranged in large, sugar-like grains rather than in the fibrous layers of chalcedony or agate. It occurs as nodules or fissure fillings and can be found all over the world in almost every color. Jasper commonly contains foreign materials such as calcite, pyrolusite, hematite, or clay, which can make up as much as 20% of its composition. Jasper's unique artistry is that of nature itself : a golden sun, a night sky, fields of poppies, or a deep green forest; desert sands, the rippling ocean, red rock canyons, and sweeping mountains. Each stone is a masterpiece of the creator, bold and primitive in style, solid and earthy in form, with a warm and harmonious energy.

History

The name jasper comes from the Greek word “iaspis,” meaning speckled stone. The name of this crystal is found in other ancient languages—Persian, Arabic, Hebrew, Latin, and Azerbaijani. This only confirms that jasper was known and valued as a semi-precious stone throughout history.

The use of jasper in jewelry making dates back to the time of the earliest civilizations. Archaeological discoveries suggest that this gem was used as a material for making drill bows . These discoveries date back to the 4th-5th millennium BC period in Mehrgarh.

Worn by shamans, priests, and kings, jasper was considered sacred and a powerful protective stone , both for the physical and spiritual worlds. The Egyptians carved jasper amulets with symbols and inscriptions from the Book of the Dead and buried them with mummified remains for safe passage into the afterlife. They were widely used in many cultures for engraving cylinder seals, signet rings, and special talismans depicting astrological and religious imagery.

For Native Americans and people in the Middle Ages, jasper had a slightly different use. It was believed that this crystal had the ability to bring rain. Some people also used jasper for dowsing .

Varieties

Jasper is colored by iron oxides. It is known for its deep earthy tones of red, yellow, brown and green, sometimes in shades of blue or purple, and displays wonderful contrasts in its bands, inclusions, "images" and small circular patterns.
The most common colors of jasper are yellow, red, green, brown , and, in rare cases, blue . The red variety of jasper forms when this mineral contains iron inclusions. Due to the diversity of patterns and colors, each piece of jasper can have a very different appearance from another. All jasper stones can be polished and subsequently used for making seals, vases, and other ornaments. Most pieces are carved or cut, and faceted only in very rare cases.

There is a wide variety of jaspers, characterized by their color, shape, and similarities to places or animals found in nature. Many are named after the regions where they are mined; others are named after those who discovered them. The different names for jasper can suggest either its color (lemon, green, red, bloodstone), its pattern ( Picasso, Leopard, Landscape, Orbicular ), or its place of origin ( Mookaite or Morrisonite ). Jasper is found in many countries. Some of the largest deposits are located in countries such as Brazil, Egypt, Australia, India, Canada, Madagascar, Russia, the United States, Mexico, Indonesia, and others. Certain patterns or colors are specific to a particular mining location. For example, Mookaite originates from Australia, while the bloodstone variety is found in India.

Most jasper pieces used in jewelry making are entirely natural, although it is sometimes dyed and used to imitate other gemstones. Because jasper resources are quite abundant, most varieties are not too expensive. The most prized jasper pieces include Bruneau jasper and Biggs jasper from Oregon . Bruneau jasper is admired for its blue "sky" hues; however, its mine in Idaho has been flooded, and it has therefore become a rather rare variety.

Some examples

Black jasper , or basanite, is a form of flint , one of the rarest. Blue jasper forms in various shades of blue, often swirled with dark spots or veins; it is sometimes artificially treated to enhance its color. Brecciated jasper (jasper containing hematite) is primarily brick red, veined or patterned in brown, black, and beige, often with inclusions of clear crystal. Brown jasper ranges from deep chocolate brown to reddish-brown, including Havana brown and ivory, and is characterized by bands, patterns, and veining. It includes certain specific formations such as image jasper , Bruneau jasper , and Bat Cave jasper . Dalmatian jasper is pale gray, cream, or beige-brown with dark spots and resembles the coat of a Dalmatian. Green jasper , although a component of many multicolored jaspers, is rarer and more prized when it forms in a single green color. It ranges from pale spring green to a deep tea or olive green. Leopard jasper is an orbicular jasper, usually in dominant shades of green or orange, with dark, leopard-like bands and vitreous inclusions. Mookaite jasper has a predominantly pinkish-red color, marbled or striped with bands of yellow, cream, beige, white, or brown; its name comes from the Mooka Creek area of ​​Western Australia where it is mined. Oceanic jasper , also called sea jasper, is a rare orbicular jasper taken from the remote shores of northwestern Madagascar and can only be mined at low tide; it is sometimes called the stone of Atlantis. Its multicolored circles, contour lines, and opaque bands of stone are interspersed with druses.

See our Jasper Jewelry collection

Properties and virtues

Jasper, the elemental stone of the Earth, has a slow and constant vibrational frequency, aligned with the planet's electromagnetic energies. It allows us to be more present in our physical bodies, making us more aware of nature and our surroundings. It encourages us to cherish moments of solitude to absorb, reflect, and connect with its energies.

Jasper is a stone of grounding and stability , bringing comfort and security, strength and healing. Its presence balances the aura to a level of wholeness and peace. It reminds us that we are not here solely for ourselves on the physical plane, but that we are also here to bring joy and substance to others.

For those born in March, jasper is their birthstone. It is not attributed to any particular zodiac sign; however, it is known to be beneficial to several signs. Jasper can enhance patience and compassion for Capricorn and Cancer . Generally, all varieties of jasper are equally beneficial to Scorpio and Aries.

Given the many different varieties of jasper, its metaphysical properties can vary depending on its color. For example, yellow jasper should be used for the solar plexus chakra , and red jasper for the root chakra . By energizing and purifying the main energy center, red jasper enhances the flow of energy from the root chakra to the other chakras. Spreading jasper over each chakra in turn will purify, strengthen, and realign the chakras, as well as the aura. This will also balance yin and yang energies and align the physical, emotional, and mental bodies. Thanks to its diverse colors, jasper is wonderfully suited to the body's layout. Individual colors should be placed appropriately for the healing of specific chakras.

Jasper can help those who wish to, or have difficulty, giving up bad habits. It is also said to help reduce alcohol consumption or quit smoking. It can help the body eliminate toxins and minimize the emotional urge to consume them. It is said to strengthen self-discipline and provide additional emotional support.

People who wish to control their emotions and reduce stress should carry jasper with them. The energy of this crystal eliminates negative vibrations , making it a protective stone as well. If someone is struggling with negative thoughts or recurring nightmares, jasper can offer valuable support through its energy. It is an ideal stone to rub to increase concentration or calm the nerves.

Jasper is believed to strengthen a person's determination and motivation. It can provide a boost of energy when someone begins to feel weak. Thinking clearly and avoiding distractions can help quickly determine the pros and cons of each situation, enabling a person to make the best possible decisions.

All jaspers provide a calm and harmonious energy for meditation . They are ideal for grounding and focusing at the beginning of a ritual, thus facilitating the transition into a meditative state. Use jasper for the first few minutes of any meditation, then switch to another crystal that aligns with the intention of your session.

For more information, Rebelle-Santé magazine offers a short article on red jasper .

Disclaimer: The metaphysical and healing properties described above are provided for inspiration and reference purposes only; they are not scientifically proven and should be considered within the context of holistic healing and spiritual practices. We gather this information and these purported properties from writings, books, folk tales, and various other sources. They also depend on the individual's attitude and beliefs. Furthermore, they are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified therapist or physician.