Jasper: Taste the Rainbow
"Ocean Wave" Jasper in Copper
(this page still under construction)
Pronunciation: Jas-per (tough one, right?)
Synonyms: None really, but the names of varieties are dizzying, as you'll see below. The Native Americans called it "rainbringer."
Locations: Absolutely everywhere. Jasper is many things, but rare is not one of them.
Chakra: Depends on the form and the color
Astrological: Associated with Aries, Leo and Virgo
Element: Varies.
Natural Information: Jasper is a form of chalcedony. It is generally opaque although transparent inclusions are not uncommon, and it comes in a mind boggling array of colors and patterns. Its name, from Greek jaspis means "speckled stone." It is capable of an extremely polished surface. It is made from sedimentary rock and ash and crystallization of those elements.
Legends: The ancient Egyptians wore scarabs made of jasper because it was believed to increase sexual energy. Massages with a round, polished jasper were said to have an aphrodisiac effect (depending on the massage, this doesn't surprise me too much at all). Jasper amulets were also carved by the Egyptians with passages from the Book of the Dead to guide spirits in the afterlife.
In the Bible it is one of the stones that make up the foundation of New Jerusalem in Revelation. Native Americans used it in rain-attracting ceremonies, thus the name they call it by, "rainbringer."
Metaphysical Lore: Jasper has been used in magic since almost the dawn of time, at least as far as humans are concerned. Almost all forms of jasper are protective. They were worn to ward off evil spirits or bad luck, or as a talisman against poisonous bites. Some forms are said to augment dream awareness.
Healing Lore: It has been used for ages to protect against pain, whether from venom (it was once thought to draw out venom) or from childbirth. It has a soothing effect in many of its forms and therefore is good for stomach ailments including reflux.
About my stones: I use jasper in tons of forms. I love the array of colors and patterns in this stone, and the often warm colors and especially the highly polished surface it often has. It's quite possible that several of the names I give below are actually the same stone, but it is sold under so many different names that I'm going to attempt to catalog them, or at least the ones I use. Some of them are very similar but I think the difference is that they are mined in different places. This is also by no means an exhaustive list of all the monikers jasper goes by... I think sometimes people are just making something up. But, these are some of the forms I have bought myself so this is what you get. Enjoy the variety!
The information gathered below is from multiple book and Internet sources, and sometimes my own intuition. There is a lot of conflicting information out there about jasper... some sources say it is a chalcedony and others said it was formed of quartz and other minerals. I suspect they may all be right, but if sources can't even agree on what the rock is made of, what can we agree on? My biggest concerns when buying are, 1) Is it pretty? Is it unique? and 2) Do I like the energy feedback I get from the stone? I suggest that you go with your gut, as well. I wrap intuitively too... some stones seem to demand a cradling wrap in bare metals, others seem to need a wrap that stays out of the way and lets the focal point be the stone itself, without a lot of loops and swirls in the way (although I have been known to get carried away with the loops and swirls).
The items pictured are from my archives of stones I've wrapped over the years. A few may be available, the majority probably are not. If you see one you absolutely adore, chances are pretty good I can get you a similar stone and wrap it similarly for you. Feel free to ask, I really love doing custom work.
My personal favorite jaspers are Ocean Jasper, for its uniqueness and the sparkling drusy that it often bears, Sea Sediment Jasper, again because it's totally unique, and Red Jasper - I seem to be very much drawn to this stone for reasons I'm not exactly sure about. Silly story... I once decided I was going to find my totem animal and do you know where I went? The mall! (this cracks me up when I think about it). But, I went into a Nature Conservancy store and there I found the little red jasper wolf that I still carry around. Life is crazy.
Pronunciation: Jas-per (tough one, right?)
Synonyms: None really, but the names of varieties are dizzying, as you'll see below. The Native Americans called it "rainbringer."
Locations: Absolutely everywhere. Jasper is many things, but rare is not one of them.
Chakra: Depends on the form and the color
Astrological: Associated with Aries, Leo and Virgo
Element: Varies.
Natural Information: Jasper is a form of chalcedony. It is generally opaque although transparent inclusions are not uncommon, and it comes in a mind boggling array of colors and patterns. Its name, from Greek jaspis means "speckled stone." It is capable of an extremely polished surface. It is made from sedimentary rock and ash and crystallization of those elements.
Legends: The ancient Egyptians wore scarabs made of jasper because it was believed to increase sexual energy. Massages with a round, polished jasper were said to have an aphrodisiac effect (depending on the massage, this doesn't surprise me too much at all). Jasper amulets were also carved by the Egyptians with passages from the Book of the Dead to guide spirits in the afterlife.
In the Bible it is one of the stones that make up the foundation of New Jerusalem in Revelation. Native Americans used it in rain-attracting ceremonies, thus the name they call it by, "rainbringer."
Metaphysical Lore: Jasper has been used in magic since almost the dawn of time, at least as far as humans are concerned. Almost all forms of jasper are protective. They were worn to ward off evil spirits or bad luck, or as a talisman against poisonous bites. Some forms are said to augment dream awareness.
Healing Lore: It has been used for ages to protect against pain, whether from venom (it was once thought to draw out venom) or from childbirth. It has a soothing effect in many of its forms and therefore is good for stomach ailments including reflux.
About my stones: I use jasper in tons of forms. I love the array of colors and patterns in this stone, and the often warm colors and especially the highly polished surface it often has. It's quite possible that several of the names I give below are actually the same stone, but it is sold under so many different names that I'm going to attempt to catalog them, or at least the ones I use. Some of them are very similar but I think the difference is that they are mined in different places. This is also by no means an exhaustive list of all the monikers jasper goes by... I think sometimes people are just making something up. But, these are some of the forms I have bought myself so this is what you get. Enjoy the variety!
The information gathered below is from multiple book and Internet sources, and sometimes my own intuition. There is a lot of conflicting information out there about jasper... some sources say it is a chalcedony and others said it was formed of quartz and other minerals. I suspect they may all be right, but if sources can't even agree on what the rock is made of, what can we agree on? My biggest concerns when buying are, 1) Is it pretty? Is it unique? and 2) Do I like the energy feedback I get from the stone? I suggest that you go with your gut, as well. I wrap intuitively too... some stones seem to demand a cradling wrap in bare metals, others seem to need a wrap that stays out of the way and lets the focal point be the stone itself, without a lot of loops and swirls in the way (although I have been known to get carried away with the loops and swirls).
The items pictured are from my archives of stones I've wrapped over the years. A few may be available, the majority probably are not. If you see one you absolutely adore, chances are pretty good I can get you a similar stone and wrap it similarly for you. Feel free to ask, I really love doing custom work.
My personal favorite jaspers are Ocean Jasper, for its uniqueness and the sparkling drusy that it often bears, Sea Sediment Jasper, again because it's totally unique, and Red Jasper - I seem to be very much drawn to this stone for reasons I'm not exactly sure about. Silly story... I once decided I was going to find my totem animal and do you know where I went? The mall! (this cracks me up when I think about it). But, I went into a Nature Conservancy store and there I found the little red jasper wolf that I still carry around. Life is crazy.
African Queen Picture Jasper
Source: Namibia
Element: Earth Chakra: Solar Plexus One of a few different "picture" jaspers, so named because you can often see pictures in the striations, usually landscapes. Picture jaspers enhance creativity and help keep those with a flighty "artist mind" (guilty as charged, myself) grounded. Autumn Jasper
Source: South Africa, maybe others
Other names: Autumn Leaf Jasper Chakra Association: Root I'm not so sure that this isn't just a red jasper that looked like pretty autumn colors, and was just named that. You're likely to see red and yellow in most of them. Still, this is out there and you'll see it, so I'm including it. This is among the most protective of jaspers. It has a very stabilizing, grounding energy. If you're feeling unfocused, try wearing this stone. Black Jasper
Source: Several sources
Other Names: Blackstone Element: Earth Chakra: Root Highly protective, said to bring good luck to the bearer in a fight. It was once used as a touchstone in alchemy. It is an anchor stone and very much a root chakra associated stone. Not one I use much. Blue Web Jasper
Source: unknown
Other Names: Blue Web Jasper Element: Air/Earth? Chakra: Throat? Blue jasper is supposed to be an extreme rarity. As a result, I am not sure that these stones are not dyed; they may be. They have more of an earthy feel to me but there is something other-worldly about them too. Blue jaspers are said to have a strong connection to the afterlife. Brecciated Jasper
Source: Mexico, Australia (brecciated mookaite)
Element: Earth Chakra: Alignment of all of them A breccia is a rock composed of fragments cemented by a fine-grained matrix. As a result you can see the chunks of rock and the quartz-like, often transparent matrix material. It is commonly yellow, as it is here, or red, in which case it is called poppy jasper, but any jasper can be involved. This stone, because it has been fragmented and come together again, is helpful in encouraging a sense of wholeness. If you're familiar with the shamanic practice of soul retrieval, wearing a piece of this stone while you're healing and undergoing this process can be enormously helpful. I think that the stone I'm showing here may actually be brecciated mookaite (I have done mookaite as a separate page even though it is a jasper). Cappuccino Jasper
Source: Poland
Element: Earth Chakra: Sacral & Solar Plexus This can be very similar to Exotica, but the tones are a gentle blend of cappuccino hues and sometimes a little purple. I have also seen some that have a matrix formation (see Brecciated Jasper). This has a very soothing, calming energy. Chinese Painting Jasper
Source: China
Other names: Artistic Jasper, China Picture Stone Element: Earth Chakra: Solar Plexus This is a picture jasper, but unique from American picture jaspers in that it is dendritic - that means that the picture-like striations take on tree-like forms with branches. The colors are subdued greys and blacks often, but sometimes surprisingly bright yellows show up. Chohua Jasper
Source: China
Element: Fire Chakra: Heart, Sacral This stone comes only from the Lijing River in China. This is a stone of love and passion. Jasper has been worn to enhance sexual energy or stability for millennia and this stone in particular has that kind of energy. But it's not just about sex; our fires of passion can ignite over a cause, or an injustice, or the defense of those we love, and this jasper will support all of those. Dalmatian Jasper
Source:
Other Names: Often confused with Leopardskin Jasper. Element: Earth Chakra: Solar Plexus As you might imagine, this is a light-colored stone (almost white in some cases, often more of a tan or even yellow) spotted with black. Really cool paired with Snowflake Obsidian. It's said to help with removing disillusionment and disappointment. Deschutes Jasper
Source: Oregon, USA
Element: Earth Chakra: Solar Plexus A lovely picture jasper with tremendous depth to the striations that look form the "picture". Exotica Jasper
Source:
Other names: "Sci Fi" Jasper Element: Air, Spirit Chakra: Third Eye This one, often with tones of purple with darker purple markings, has a wonderful soothing quality. It can also be found in green, in which case it also has a very grounding, nurturing energy. Imperial Jasper
Source: Mexico
Element: Earth, Fire Chakra: Solar Plexus It has been suggested that this is the jasper referred to in the Bible as the one associated with the tribes of Israel and the foundation of New Jerusalem. Most of the time we keep the sacred in our life separate from the mundane. Imperial jasper encourages a unity of the two, easing any conflict between our bodies and our spirits. If you could see a cross-section of a cut piece of this stone, you would see bands that resemble those of a tree. This is a stone of deep strength. If life is calling on you for more resources than you feel you have, this stone will help you find what it is in yourself to deal with whatever comes. Kambaba Jasper
Source: Africa
Alternate names: Crocodile Jasper Element: Air Chakra: Heart This is generally a green and black stone sometimes dotte with other colors, with swirling pointillist patterns that remind me of the swirls of Van Gogh's Starry Night, or a cloud nebula. It is technically not a jasper, but like jasper, it is in the chalcedony family. Healing lore says that it is good for gardeners, soothing to the nerves, and also aids with detoxification and mineral balance. "King Cobra" Jasper
Source: Brazil
Element: Earth Chakra: Heart I have never bought this stone so what I am telling you here is based on information I gleaned elsewhere. This is reported to be a good healer's stone, a good balancer of emotion, a promoter of contentment, and physically good for digestion. A web search isn't turning up a lot of this stone sold as cabochons or beads, so it may be rare-ish... also, the ones I see often look completely different compared to one another. Another one of those confusing jaspers. Leopard Skin Jasper
Source: Mexico
Element: Earth Chakra: Solar Plexus This is said to be a stone for shamanic journeying and a protection stone for those whose lives are spent in service to others. It is also useful for creative visualization, whether that means artistic pursuits or simply manifesting the things you want in your life. It is a supportive stone for healing and also helps with detoxification. |
Mahogany Jasper
Source: unknown
Element: Earth Chakra: Root This is and isn't a red jasper. It's a deep red-brown mixed with black, takes on a gorgeous shine, and for the life of me I cannot get a picture of it. The shininess of the stone just prevents you from seeing the depths of the coloration. Trust me, it's gorgeous. It's among the most protective and grounding of all jaspers - all stones, really, with the possible exception of hematite, black tourmaline and black onyx. "Misty Mountain" Jasper
Source: Western USA
Element: Earth Chakra: Solar Plexus, Heart A picture jasper that evokes mountains receding into the distance. I'm going to have to research this one because the jasper I had that was labeled "misty mountain" is blue. Hmm. Ocean Jasper
Source: Madagascar
Other names: "Orbicular" jasper Element: Water Chakra: Heart Ocean jasper is unique. It is the form that most often has druzy sections (frankly, I am not sure why it isn't an agate) and translucent spots. Its color forms tend toward an orange to tan shade with varying amounts of green and white. It's not uncommon to find a green stone with orange drops. There is often a circular pattern. It has a higher quartz content than other forms. This is a calming stone. If you sat and studied the transparent patterns, the sparkling sections of crystal, you could "get lost" in peace. That is the energy of it. It is much less grounding than many other forms of jasper and in fact if you're not securely grounded its energy may not be a good match for you. However it does have a connection to the cycles of breath and can be used to help regulate and focus on breathing in meditation. "Ocean Wave" Jasper
Source: Madagascar
Element: Water Chakra: Heart, Throat Marked with gentle waves in shades of blue, green, teal, white, brown and sometimes a bit of transparency, Ocean Wave jasper is soothing and healing. It is a stone of sympathy - if you find that your empathy is being strained by situations in your life, wear one of these stones so that you can understand others' points of view. I have a particular fondness for this one, being partial to blue and green stones. I almost always wrap it in silver or silver artistic wire. Owyhee Picture Jasper
Source: Oregon Owyhee Canyon
Element: Earth Chakra: Solar Plexus Yes, another picture jasper from Oregon. This is the American picture jasper I most commonly use. It reminds me of cave paintings. This particular one doesn't have a "sky" but owyhee often does, and it is generally a lighter shade of the same tones here. A very earthy stone, very elemental, very grounding. It has the effect of aligning root, sacral and solar plexus, and enhances motivation, visualization and creativity. Palomino Jasper
Source: Oregon
Element: Earth Chakra: Solar Plexus An American picture jasper set apart by a grainy appearance, an often grey "sky" and layers similar to Owyhee. Picasso Jasper
Source:
Other Names: Picasso Stone Element: Fire Chakra: Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat (depending on the stone) Picasso jasper comes in a variety of hues whose colors you can't quite describe.. corals and mauves and shades of green, often with these dendrites that seem to go contrary to the layers of the stone. Love it. Its energy is all about creativity, celebrating life, connecting with your inner child. Poppy Jasper
Sources: All over the place. If it's red, it's often called poppy. Another one with a lot of conflict as to what it is and where it's from.
Other names: Red Brecciated Jasper Element: Fire Chakra: Sacral Said to be good for attunement to and communication with animals. I think that this is in part because it is a stone of compassion. This aspect came up repeatedly in sites and sources I checked. It is also very protective and very healing of hurts that are very close to the source of who we are - childhood abuses, especially. Red River Jasper
Source: Midsouth US (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas), although I have seen stones bearing this name from China and Australia
Other names: Cherry Creek Jasper Element: Fire Chakra: Solar Plexus This is basically a red brecciated jasper, although often stones bearing this name are more solid colored. There is a ton of conflicting info on it and I'm very sad that I can't seem to find anything like the stone above... I LOVED the way it came out. "Red Snakeskin" Jasper
Source: Australia
Element: Fire Chakra: Solar Plexus I'm not sure what differentiates this one from other red jaspers. I see a lot more striations in it than other ones, so maybe it's red and banded as opposed to more of a matrix formation. I have a few that I bought under this name, I just haven't done anything with them yet. Like other red jaspers, it has a very grounding effect, good for guarding you against other people's negative energy. You know what I'm talking about? You know how you can be in a good mood and then you get around someone who has a black cloud around them and you pick that up and find yourself in a bad mood? There are empathic people who are just "psychic sponges" and tend to absorb the energy of the people all around them. If that's you, I'm going to recommend two things for you. First, get yourself some red jasper, hold it in your hand and focus on its protective qualities, every day. Second, go read this article and get in the habit of forming a protective bubble around yourself. Seriously... this can destroy your emotional, spiritual and physical health, especially if you just happen to inhabit the same space as people who tend to be very negative. Red Zebra Jasper
Source: India
Element: Fire Chakra: Solar Plexus, Root This is a stone of motivation. Stop overthinking what you want out of life and take one small step in that direction. Physically, it is said to be helpful with endurance, warding off infections, bone and teeth health and muscle spasm. Sea Sediment Jasper
Source: China or Australia?
Alternate names: variscite, aqua terra jasper Element: Water Chakra: heart/throat This is a relatively new stone to the market and there is a lot of conflicting data about it. Some sources suggest it is entirely man-made, others say that it may be a stone called variscite mined in Australia, although my sources say it comes from China. You will often see it dyed in a rainbow of colors as crazy as many of the agates you see dyed, or howlite. I generally don't care for fake-looking dyed stones, although in the case of this one I have been known to pick up a dyed one here and there (if I know a stone is dyed or treated in any way, I will tell you in the description of the item). Whatever its source, this is probably not a jasper, but is usually sold as one. There is also very little information on the metaphysical properties of this stone. I think it has a protective serenity about it, and a depth. Succor Creek Jasper
Source: Oregon
Element: Earth Chakra: Solar Plexus Another American picture jasper, these often have a dark "sky" with a "landscape" that looks alien and illuminated, in shades of yellow, rust, white and a deep charcoal grey. Yellow Jasper
Source: Various.
Element: Earth Chakra: Solar plexus I tend to use yellow jasper beads and not as much focal stones. The one pictured is actually Australian Mookaite (discussed on a separate page, but still a jasper). I'm not terribly fond of yellow stones, personally, but I use them occasionally. Yellow jasper has the effect of clearing the mind. |