Information About Jasper
Whether you are a rock collector, and interior designer, or simply have an inquiring mind of natures beauty, you can not look at this mineral and deny it’s stoic presence.
Rockology would like to introduce you to Jasper—a rock of personal strength, endurance and ancient roots with more practical use.
Here’s what you may already know about Jasper:
- Formed from Chalcedony—it’s Quartz!
- Typed as an opaque variety of silica
- Comes in Red, Yellow, Brown, Green and rarely Blue/Purple
- But is most commonly Red, as it forms with bands of iron
- Polished for Gemstones, Seals, Vases, Ornaments & Snuff Boxes
- Stunning with Inclusions, Bands & Poppy Patterns
If none of the above rings a bell, you may be among the general population who know Jasper as an October (Virgo) stone or the traditional birthstone of March with the bloodstone.
The etymology, or Jasper meaning, is “spotted or speckled stone” since Jasper sometimes contains spots of sediment, ash or mineral material. The meaning of Jasper derives from the Old French “jaspre” or Latin “iaspidem”—which translates all the way back to its ancient Greek, Hebrew or Akkadian origins.
Polished Jasper was favored by the people in ancient civilizations and can be found referenced throughout Latin literature.
You may find with the Jasper stone that each piece is detailed and unique due to organic material contained inside, which often oxidizes during formation to complete interesting arrangements. The lines and patterns of Jasper rift to form a picture that sometimes resemble a landscape that dips and peaks with mountains and valleys.
Our polychrome Jasper should remind you of scenes of the sea, where the sand meets the shore. And our Ocean Jasper brings you waves of wisdom and tranquil vibrations, as it is fittingly named the stunningly elegant “Atlantis Stone”—a talisman of knowledge and serenity.
Jasper History & Meaning
In the early civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, Red and Green Jasper were once hot commodities!
People held the rock mineral Green Jasper in high value as far back as 7,000 years ago, when it was used in bow drills throughout the Indus Valley to carve other minerals such as cornelian and semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli.
Ancient people regarded the stone Red Jasper, as a sacred stone of physical and spiritual protection—a natural healing stone that amounts to courage and wisdom. Therefore, Red Jasper was once a talisman of warriors and carried as a source of protection.
In ancient Egypt, Red Jasper was linked to fertility, as it was named the fertilizing blood of Mother Isis.
It was sometimes placed around the neck of the deceased in the form of an amulet carved with a scene of the 156th Chapter from the Book of the Dead. Similarly some North American Indians referred to Red Jasper as the “blood of Mother Earth” that stimulated health and rebirth.
In the Viking or Germanic legends of Siegfried “the dragonslayer”, Red Jasper was inlaid in the hilt of the hero’s magical sword to guide him with courage in his trials of adversity.
Benefits & Uses
The Jasper meaning is that of protection, endurance and physical strength. Therefore, if you feel out of balance, Red Jasper helps to keep you grounded, as it responds to “red”, the base or root chakra.
Red Jasper (Protection, Healing) is as a stone of the First Chakra (root chakra) or stimulates the base or root chakra, awakens “chi” or life force, and brings the wearer physical strength, vitality and emotional stability.
Wear it to alleviate stress and reconnect with grounding energies that calm aggression and direct creative passions. Here is a list of some of the common health benefits of Jasper you may find:
- Physical strength
- Metabolic endurance
- Emotional stamina
- Circulatory benefit
Lovely bands of irregular curves give the Jasper stone its own unique quality in a variety of different forms—and you are sure to find, there is a kind of beauty in imperfection.
Conclusion
If you would like to know more about the Jasper stone, Jasper meaning or about other must-have rocks for collectors, be sure to download our free Rocks 101 eBook.
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