“The jasper in the poet's hand is poetry. Powdered jasper is a calligrapher's pearls scattered on paper… Jasper is a beautiful girl… Finally, jasper juice is wine… Absolutely all the best is jasper, ”Academician V. A. Alekseev said.
And one cannot but agree with this statement: the jasper stone is multifaceted and multicolored, it has no analogues, but has served humanity for hundreds of thousands of years: first as a material for weapons and household items, and then as a decoration and raw material for decorating palaces, interior decoration , expensive dishes, souvenirs.
This stone has powerful magical and healing properties. Jasper in our article is the main character and favorite, amulet and talisman. Let's get to know her better.
What is this stone
A bright and variegated stone, including all the colors of the rainbow, except for dark blue, is mentioned in the Bible. It is known that he occupied an honorable place among 12 stones that adorned the breastplate of the High Priest in the Middle Ages.
The stone belonged to those endowed with special strength and purity.
Refers to semi-precious ornamental. It has many medicinal and magical properties. Thanks to the different shades and mottled structure, everyone can choose jasper to their liking.
For example, a green mineral is recommended for travelers as a talisman.
The most beautiful stone is carefully polished. It has the hardness of a rock, and its smooth surface resembles a multicolored rainbow.
Often, a frame made of precious metals is selected for jasper, which further ennobles the bright mineral. It is the only one in the world that has such a variety of shades.
Jasper has many names:
- Jasper;
- Jasper agate;
- Tiger stone;
- Basanite;
- Bloody jasper;
- Mottled;
- Swiss lapis.
Each name was given depending on the color or pattern. In ancient times, many minerals were called jasper, regardless of where they were mined. The main sign by which the name was given is variegation.
The stone includes a whole class of minerals, the basis of which is silicon rock with various impregnations. By the way, untreated jasper does not make any impression and is not a special jewel.
But through complex manipulations, grinding, grinding, the stone turns into something fantastic.
In ancient times, it was said about jasper that "blood was mixed" in it. Now the mineral is used to make souvenirs and jewelry, boxes and figurines. But at first everything was a little different.
History of origin
The exact date of occurrence is still unknown. During the Soviet era, archaeological excavations were carried out, during which jasper products were found.
Items belonged to the Neanderthal era. During the Neolithic period, the mineral was valuable due to its hardness and strength. The necessary items for the household were made from it: hoes, harrows, shovels and the simplest types of other equipment.
Further, jasper began to be used for making weapons: they made arrowheads and spears. Legends are also known: it was believed that the stone was shown from under the ground when precipitation soon began.
If you insist on water with jasper, and then water the plants, the harmful insects will scatter.
After a while, noticing the magical and healing qualities of the mineral, people willingly began to use it in rituals and ceremonies, to treat ailments:
- In the Middle Ages, jasper was considered a sacred stone and served as a material for decorating religious objects.
- The ancient Romans wore the mineral around their neck like a pendant. According to legend, he cured almost all diseases.
- In Egypt, jasper was a symbol of security, wealth. She was decorated with dishes, figurines and used to decorate the interior decoration.
- Russia began to use jasper only in the 1742th century. And not as an element for decoration, but for the interior decoration of palaces. There are paintings made from the finest plates of jasper. The first mention was recorded in XNUMX. Catherine's miners, moving along the Tura River, discovered bright stones of green and red shades, there were many of them.
- You can find out about the origin of jasper in the well-known scientific work of Academician A.E. Fersman. Millions of years ago, instead of shallow water and reservoirs, mountains began to appear due to changes in the earth's crust.
- Eruptions led to the fact that lava destroyed the inhabitants of the deep sea: plants and living organisms. Their remains hardened, turned into silicon substances, and then, during complex chemical processes, changed the composition of the soil.
- Peter I was seriously interested in this colorful and unusual, so different and original stone: the Kunstkamera were replenished with jasper reserves. It has become fashionable to decorate fireplaces with jasper, to make expensive and exquisite dishes, caskets and decorative vases, figurines and souvenirs.
In some civilizations, for example, among the Mayans and Aztecs, jasper was considered a jewel, more valuable than gold and silver.
For many peoples, jasper has taken pride of place not only as a material for the manufacture of clocks, fireplaces, candlesticks and dishes, but also as a talisman against negativity and dark forces.
Value
Presumably the word jasper was formed from the Greek "jasper", that is, "variegated. Perhaps the meaning comes from the Persian "jasper", the Hebrew "yasfeh" and the Arabic "yashb". The Russian meaning of jasper was defined as "speckled stone".
In different periods, the stone was first used to make household items and weapons, and over time it was used for church decoration, transported over long distances and presented as gifts at the state level.
In different countries, jasper had its own meaning:
- In the East, the stone was highly valued for its hardness and unusual color. In China and Korea, jasper was used for meditation, helped to learn all the secrets of being, to focus on your inner world.
- In the Urals, jasper is a sign of friendship and loyalty, happiness and good luck.
- In Egypt, the mineral was a symbol of wealth and prosperity. It was used to make protective amulets, talismans and amulets, as well as gems, figurines, seals and dishes. Jasper was intended only for the nobility. Some examples have survived to this day.
- The stone was dedicated to the Apostle Peter due to its strength and strength. In Georgia, it was believed that some shades of jasper endow a person with the gift of clairvoyance.
Also:
- The quartz stone stands for courage and modesty. The meaning is different depending on the shade. Gray jasper helps to have the firmness of the Spirit in the most difficult moments of life, gives the owner wisdom, patience and the ability to see the future.
- Jasper protects against lightning strikes, and gives the wearer strength: he will be the winner in any battle, and even in a serious dispute.
- Since ancient times, jasper almost all over the world symbolized happiness and the ability to resist evil doom. If you wear a stone jewelry, then you can not be afraid of poisons and poisoning.
- Mineral is a natural healer and healer. According to legend, the emperor Manuel from Byzantium presented a jasper vase to the monastery on Mount Athos. She healed from many ailments, was considered healing.
- Hippocrates used the stone to treat epilepsy and fever.
According to one of the legends, the sounds of music that sounded throughout the existence of the Earth did not disappear without a trace, but went deep into the depths.
There they were imprinted on the rocks and turned into jasper. Therefore, the stone has such a variety and complex pattern, and also has many varieties.
Physical properties of jasper
The stone is not even a mineral, but a rock of different origin. It can be sedimentary, silicic, or metamorphic.
Impurities consist of chalcedony, quartz, pigmented impurities of other minerals: pyrite, oxides, iron and manganese hydroxides, mica, epidote, actinolite and others.
The main component is quartz.
Features:
| Property name | Description of characteristics |
| Formulas (there are several of them) | Main - SiO2, others containing impurities - Al2O3, Fe3O4 and others |
| Transparency | Not transparent |
| Density | 2,65 g / cm3 |
| Hardness | 7 |
| Chemical composition | SiO2 - 80 - 95%, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 - 15%, CaO3 - 6% and others |
| Colours | gray, green, variegated, red, a combination of several shades, very rarely white and pale pink |
For information: There is also a jasper, the basis of this stone is not quartz, but chalcedony.
Jasper is notable for its density and hardness, it is almost impossible to break the stone, and scratch it too. Does not transmit light, it is processed long and hard.
Jasper deposits
Jasper is mined in many countries around the world. Quality stone can be found in the largest deposits located in the Caucasus.
Here is a mineral of amazing colors with patterns: stripes, streaks, spirals, stripes, waves.
You should know:
- Russia is considered the leader in the extraction of jasper. The Altai and the Urals are famous for their deposits. It is there that you can find rare monochromatic specimens. In Siberia and in the central part, there is a rare burgundy jasper, and the mountains of Orsk hide very unusual variegated minerals.
- India and Egypt also rich in jasper. Rare specimens of black jasper are found in America, and there you can also find stones with an azure color. Agate jasper was found not so long ago in Maine and Arizona.
- From European countries the mineral is mined by France, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic and Germany. Japan also contributes its treasure to the world's mining of this unique stone.
- Amazingly beautiful specimens are mined in Crimea, on the volcano Karadag. On the rocky ridge of Karagach, among the thickets of juniper and wild pistachio, branching veins of Yashma are noticeable. On the territory of Ukraine, the stone is found in Volyn.
- Often, jasper is a neighbor of opal, jade or agate. It is found in cavities, veins and nodules of ferruginous ores. The stone is successfully mined in Australia, Mexico and Peru, as well as Portugal, Canada and Brazil, Madagascar and Morocco.
Varieties and colors
Jasper is a rare and unique stone that has many varieties, it has a pattern, but there is also a monochromatic structure. Some of the stones are widespread, and some belong to rare and especially valuable archaeological finds.
The classification is complex, it includes several main groups and subgroups:
| Group | Description | Podgroup |
| Variegated | On a small area, there are many different patterns (spots, rings, hemispheres, stripes) The pattern is vague or clear, refers to recrystallized rocks. The composition includes quartz, magnetite, garnet, hematite. |
|
| Striped (tape) | One of the most common, outwardly resembles rows of stripes of different shades, widths from a few millimeters to several centimeters. |
|
| Homogeneous | Coloration is not expressed, more often red shades, fracturing is characteristic, not used for the manufacture of jewelry. Formed by coarse-grained quartz, crystals of chalcedony, opal, chlorite are sometimes added. | |
| Irnimite | The main tones are dark pink, orange, with a grayish tint. The streaks or spots of a dense blue color are randomly located. Manganese and alkaline amphibole are added to the main components. | |
| Jasper | There is no garnet, but iron and hematite are added. Postvolcanic formation formed by microwaves chalcedony. |
|
| Jasper quartzite | Coarse-grained, recrystallization is more pronounced, cracks are visible, there are many ore impurities, there are stripes, spots or a homogeneous structure. | |
| Jasper breeds | Composition: quartz, chalcedony, potassium feldspar. The rock contains a lot of chlorine, calcium carbonates, magnesium and iron. |
There is also a classification by color, trade name or, based on the place of extraction.
Here are some of the most common examples.
Bumble bee
A stone from Indonesia with a yellowish tone.
Blood jasper
The stone is deep green. Lithotherapists recommend it to stop bleeding.
Oceanic
Harvested in Madagascar, it is classified as a banded type that includes many shades.
Prase
Semi-transparent stone of greenish color.
Zebra
Mineral of dark brown color with clearly visible light stripes.
Egyptian (Nile)
Buro
Striped color, found in the Arabian Peninsula.
Dalmatian
It resembles the color of a Dalmatian.
Leopard
It resembles a similar color of the beast.
Landscape
It is an intricate drawing. reminiscent of the dunes of the desert, waves of the sea, lonely trees.
Picasso
Reminiscent of whimsical abstract images.
Tiger
On the surface are brownish dots, vaguely similar to the color of a tiger.
Black jasper
White and blue
The phenomenon is extremely rare, especially appreciated by jewelers, because the jewelry is very exquisite and beautiful.
The magical properties of jasper
Even in ancient times, sages discovered that jasper is a natural antidote. If added to a drink with poison, then it turns into ordinary water. The meanings were different depending on the shade.
The green color of jasper symbolizes wisdom, and the red color represents passion and love.
In the modern world, jasper continues to be actively used for the manufacture of amulets and amulets, it is relevant in the following life situations:
- Mages recommend wearing jasper from negative energetic influences, including the evil eye, corruption, and when dealing with energy vampires.
- It is imperative to keep the stone in the house to protect the family hearth, from fires, thieves, envious people.
- It is good to keep money, securities and documents in jasper boxes.
- The owner of the stone jewelry will be protected from the attacks of aggressive animals.
- A spherical or oval-shaped mineral will help you make serious decisions deliberately and competently.
- An untreated piece of rock protects it from thieves and envious acquaintances.
- At work, jasper helps in communication with management and colleagues, protects against conflicts and disagreements.
- Family well-being and financial prosperity are guaranteed for lovers of jasper jewelry.
- For people who study the exact sciences, philosophy, the stone provides a better assimilation of knowledge and the opportunity to understand and realize the secret sides of life.
Jasper is used to make dishes for magical rituals. And if you insert a photo of a person into a frame made of jasper, then the energetic effect on him, even at a distance, is impossible.
It is also advisable to put a piece of stone in the child's pocket as a talisman and powerful protection from everything unkind.
The healing properties of the stone
Depending on the color of the jasper, the stone is widely used to treat various diseases.
They began to use it as a healer in antiquity and continue to actively use it today:
- Light Coloured a shade, almost white or pinkish, is responsible for the correct functioning of the cardiovascular system.
- Yellow - orange the shade contributes to the saturation of vital energy, restores the immune system, affects the condition of the human skin.
- All shades of green they are able to restore vision, heal eye diseases, this is a means to relieve pain. It is often recommended for the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments. The mineral of this color has a beneficial effect on the work of the brain and central nervous system, relieves anxiety, insomnia, depression, excessive excitability and fears.
- Instances where the main color is red, help to establish the work of the reproductive organs, stop bleeding, contribute to the normalization of the state of the heart and vascular system.
It is enough to hold the stone in your hands to reduce the toothache or headache. The strongest energy effect on the body is considered to be red jasper or having reddish streaks and spots.
Who is suitable for the sign of the zodiac
Astrologers consider jasper to be an energetically strong stone. Wearing it for a long time is undesirable for any person. Although it is practically a universal mineral, it still has zodiacal favorites, for which all the magical facets open up.
("++" - the stone fits perfectly, "+" - can be worn, "-" - absolutely contraindicated):
| Zodiac sign | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Aries | — |
| Taurus | + |
| Gemini | — |
| Cancer | + |
| a lion | + |
| Virgo | ++ |
| Scales | -+ |
| Scorpio | — |
| Sagittarius | + |
| Capricorn | + |
| Aquarius | -+ |
| Pisces | + |
The jasper mascot will be the ideal patron for Virgos. The stone gives the representatives of this sign of wisdom, confidence. Such a talisman helps to gain softness of character, to learn how to smooth out conflict situations at home, at work, when communicating with people. The gem will protect Virgo from troubles, tricky cases. Virgo women are advised to choose a mineral of red shades, and a green palette is more suitable for men.
The stone is not indifferent to Pisces. People born under this sign often lack confidence in their abilities, and these individuals are also too suspicious. Jasper will help to gain courage, wisdom, to strengthen willpower, to gain stamina - the necessary qualities to achieve goals.
Any kind of mineral will be an assistant for Capricorns, especially for the male half. The jasper amulet will help men to improve themselves, to follow the intended path. For younger Capricorns, the mineral will become a learning aid, helping to memorize information faster and easier.
For Taurus, the jasper amulet, framed with silver, will become a powerful talisman against bad external influences, bad eyes and thoughts. For the representatives of this sign, the mineral of bright red color is a source of energy that relieves fatigue. But heliotrope is undesirable for Taurus, as it mutes some of the necessary personality traits.
Restless, bright representatives of the Sagittarius sign can safely use blue or blue jasper as a talisman. This will help such people to correctly direct endless energy, to establish communication with the people around them.
Lions are wrestlers by nature. They do not like and do not know how to lose, often showing the talent of a leader. Jasper of red shades suits the representatives of this sign, adding energy, improving memory, perception, mental abilities.
The gem will become an unwanted companion for Scorpions, Aries and Gemini. Representatives of these signs themselves are energetically strong, arrogant, straightforward, and the jasper decoration will only aggravate these qualities, making them irritable, nervous.
The gem will not have any effect on Cancers, Libra and Aquarius may even think that they are accompanied by poor health, troubles when interacting with a stone.
Despite this, the stone of yellow shades is a universal talisman for every zodiac. Figurines made from such a mineral on your desktop help you reach career heights.
Talismans and charms
If it is not possible to purchase a piece of jewelry, then even a small piece of rough stone, which is carried in a secret pocket or even in a bag, will help.
Men can wear rosary or signet rings. And to protect the house, it is enough to have at least a small figure in the living room.
To constantly keep your body in great shape, wear a pendant or bracelet, earrings with small stones. The shade of the stone is chosen depending on the problem with the owner, which requires a solution.
Jasper jewelry
A product with a small stone has a very reasonable cost, so almost everyone can afford it. For women, beads, earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and brooches are offered.
For the stronger sex, you should choose a stone of calmer tones. It can be used in cufflinks, belts, rings.
Young people can afford to wear a bracelet containing specimens of jasper of different shades.
It is believed that jasper is a stone for the day, and in the evening it is lost. But it is undesirable to keep it in direct sunlight for a long time.
Other uses of stone
To make the interior of the room chic and give it aristocracy, many people use various objects made from jasper:
- Figurines.
- Jewelry boxes.
- Vases.
- Candlesticks.
- Framework.
- Writing sets.
- Inlaid desks in the study.
- Pictures are made from thin slabs of stone.
Jasper is especially honored in the bathhouse. The stone can withstand temperatures over 1000 degrees. The effect is simply unique: the heat from the oven remains for 24 hours, the humidity and temperature conditions remain comfortable.
In addition, when jasper is heated, the lungs are cleansed, the work of the heart and blood vessels is improved, immunity is increased, blood pressure decreases, and the blood is purified. 10 kg of stones costs about 20 euros.
Price of products with jasper
The jasper product can be found both in the gift shop and in the jewelry salon. The cost varies from 1 to 7 dollars per 1 gram. Earrings can be purchased for $ 6 to $ 20 per pair.
Much depends on the frame, the type of product and its weight, as well as the type of jasper and its characteristics.
Mineral product care
Jasper products are in great demand. This is due to a number of medicinal, magical properties, as well as extraordinary beauty, a variety of shades, patterns. In addition, this mineral is incredibly durable, wear-resistant, not prone to mechanical damage.
Jasper jewelry will last for years without losing its attractiveness, and simple care rules will help preserve products for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren:
- do not expose jewelry with a mineral to temperature extremes;
- it is better to store such products in a box with walls made of soft fabric;
- a simple soap solution will help to clean the stone; after cleaning, the product is washed with running water, and then wiped dry with a soft cloth;
- the sun's rays are not terrible for jasper, but an open fire is not desirable;
- it will be better if the jewelry with the mineral remains away from cosmetic perfumes during storage;
- prolonged exposure to moisture is also undesirable.
Respect is an indispensable rule for caring for any product.
Fake diamond
It is impossible to replace jasper, because it is one of a kind and has such characteristics that it is hardly possible to create artificially.
The cheapest fakes are glass, plastic or acrylic. But they only look like a stone. Natural jasper is very hard, it needs high-quality processing, which is done by highly professional craftsmen.
How to distinguish from fakes
Jasper is a popular, common stone. There is simply no point in making fakes. More often they try to pass off jasper itself as other minerals, for example, amazonite, turquoise or nephritis... But rarer copies are much more expensive, so there is still a chance to buy a fake. To prevent this from happening, it is better to remember a few important points:
- patterns of natural jasper with clear contours, a fake may be slightly blurred;
- when repeatedly falling to the floor, a lime stone, often made of acrylic, glass or plastic, will certainly be damaged, but never a nugget;
- heating a stone over low heat can be a counterfeit - such an experiment is not terrible for a natural mineral, and a fake will immediately "float";
- if you hold the product in your fist for about 20 minutes, you will understand whether it is linden or not - natural jasper does not heat up to body temperature, remaining the same cold;
- the ratio of weight and size is also worth paying attention to - even a small piece of natural jasper is weighty, which cannot be said about a glass or plastic prototype.
Better not buy jewelry from questionable online stores, and even prepaid. Such a purchase can be very disappointing. It would be more correct to turn to trusted jewelry stores, where complete information about the products is provided.
What stones are combined with
Astrologers classify jasper as an element of the Earth, therefore it is combined with the elements of Water and Earth. Fiery and Air stones will be bad neighbors.
Great combination with:
Jasper is not compatible with amber, sapphire, diamond, coral, ruby and jade.
Interesting Facts
A jasper Buddha statue is located in one of the temple structures in Thailand. Its weight is 5 tons.
One floor in the Kremlin cathedral in Moscow was lined with jasper. Especially the development of mineral extraction developed during the reign of Catherine II. Many of the items made can be confidently classified as works of art.
The famous "Queen of Vases" located in the Hermitage. Of the 88 Faberge Easter eggs, 5 were made from jasper.
The type of jasper - "heliotrope" or "bloody" is recommended to be worn in order to tidy up the blood formula. But the result will be effective only if stone bracelets are worn on both hands.
