Mineral Mondays #10: Ocean Jasper
Ocean Jasper
There are many varieties of jasper, poppy, zebra, ribbon, stone canyon and more. Ocean jasper is one of the rarest, most popular and sought after varieties. It's vibrant colors and orbicular patterns make it unique, almost like it's alive. I love to collect the material and get lost looking at the patterns, however the only way to acquire it is through dealers which I will explain about later.
Jasper is an aggregate, a combination of quartz, chalcedony and other minerals. It is made of tiny quartz crystals, but somewhat opaque compared to agate. There is a new study though which says ocean jasper is actually chalcedony and not a jasper variety. Originally discovered around 1922, the material was only re-introduced to the world at the Denver Gem and Mineral show in 2000.
The orbs are thought to form out of silica rich, rhyolitic lava. Silica precipitates out of the cooling magma forming small balls. Over time the silica keeps building up forming the unique patterns.
While jasper is found all over the world, ocean jasper is only found in northwestern Madagascar and in fact the known veins have been mined out. Until a new vein is found ocean jasper is only found through mineral dealers. The veins were all found at or near the ocean and hence the name ocean jasper was given to the material.
Some facts about Ocean Jasper:
- Ocean Jasper is a variation chalcedony.
- Shape - varies, orbicular
- Composition - silicon dioxide
- Hardness - 6 - 7 (upper medium, diamond is 10)
- Refractive index (fire) - 1.54 - 1.55 (diamond is 2.417 - 2.419)
- Colors - Pink, red, green, blue, orange, white, multicolored.
- Localities - Madagascar
Enjoy some more specimen photos of tumbled ocean jasper.
For more information on ocean jasper from an authoritative group visit this link: https://www.entertheearth.com/the-geology-varieties-and-history-of-ocean-jasper-part-one/
That's it for this week. Next Mineral Mondays #11: Hanksite
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すごい😁✋アートを感じる石ですね🎵
今って石 DIY用に売れるんですよね。日本のテレビで良くみますよー🎵
はい、彼らは芸術のようです。私たちは日本で販売しています！yahooのIDは bbfqc203です。ありがとうございます。
Ocean Jasper another one my favorites! yes I have
a lot of fav's as I'm sure you do to :-) I am curious which
ones are your all time favorites? @rt395
Each stone a true gem, the dark green one 3rd from the
top and the eggs 2nd from top are very eye catching to
me! Thank you for showing and telling about these wonderful
stones, rawks, minerals, treasures!
Shasta, my favorites are shown in my wallpaper, benitoite and red beryl. Two of the rarest gems on earth. I will write about them in the future.
Indeed, each stone has it's own character. The second one was definitely one of my favorites, as well as the 5th. The 5th is the only one I still own. While the photo didn't show it, the little orbs at the bottom are stunning in real life.
That is a very interesting post. I think it would be very useful, for the readers, to add extra references where more information could be found. In addition, I am fully convinced this will bring you more rewards ;)
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Thank you for reminding me. I meant to add in a link to great article on the modern history of ocean jasper. I'll include it here as well as in the article. https://www.entertheearth.com/the-geology-varieties-and-history-of-ocean-jasper-part-one/