Jasper: meaning, origins and properties

Jasper is a natural stone found in abundance throughout the world. Highly prized in jewelry for centuries, this fine stone includes a wide range of colors, which allows you to imagine a multitude of DIY jewelry.

Find all our components for jasper stone jewelry and be inspired by our tutorials to create beautiful natural stone jewelry.

what is the meaning of jasper stone?

The name jasper comes from the Greek iaspis and the Latin jaspidem, which means "speckled stone". Another hypothesis is that this gemstone takes its name from the Hebrew yashepheh which means "agate".

The origin of jasper

This gemstone was already known in the prehistoric era, during which it was used to make tools, such as archery drills to light the fire.
In ancient times, it was considered a stone of protection. The Egyptians made red jasper amulets in the shape of a scarab, symbolizing eternal life, or in the shape of a snake's head to protect against snakebites. The Greeks and Romans made religious ornaments to honor their gods. While the Amerindians used it to make amulets supposed to protect them from the dangers of the night.
In China, it was used to make the seals of the emperor.
Jasper is even mentioned in the Bible. It is also referred to in the Nordic legends, where it is said that the pommel of the sword of Siegfried, the dragon slayer, was encrusted with red jasper to symbolize the blood of this mythical animal.

What are the properties of jasper?

It is part of the chalcedony family. Its hardness is between 6.5 and 7 on the Mohs scale and its density is 2.75.
It is a rock of volcanic or sedimentary origin, consisting mainly of silica.

What is the color of jasper?

Jasper is a stone that has many colors with many shades, ranging from blue to green through yellow, brown, red, beige, pink or black. One can see geometric lines, speckled patterns, spots, clouds or stripes.

What are the different types of jasper?

There are many varieties of jasper, characterized by their unique color. On our site, you will find the following stones:

• Red jasper: This variety of jasper is the best known. It owes its name to its red color, ranging from light to dark red, with white, yellow or black veins.
• Picasso Jasper: Called Picasso Marble, this stone is characterized by its gray tones and streaks or spots of brown, beige, red, black and even sometimes blue.
  Its name refers to the paintings of the famous painter.
• Landscape jasper: This natural stone is distinguished from others by its brown color, which may have streaks or patterns of different tones. Some see patterns in it that resemble mountains, forests, rivers or deserts. Hence its name!
• Dalmatian Jasper: This fine stone is characterized by a cream or beige color, mottled with black or brown, reminiscent of the coat of the Dalmatian dog.
• Silver leaf jasper: It is composed of silver gray and white, with spots ranging from black to brown through red.
• Poppy jasper: Its bright red-orange color with black spots reminds one of a poppy.
• Wood Jasper: Called "elephant skin", this natural stone is brown in color, with darker inclusions reminiscent of wood.
• African Jasper-Turquoise: Not to be confused with turquoise! If their colors are similar, their characteristics and properties are quite different. African turquoise is a variety of jasper found in Africa.
• Leopard Jasper: This gemstone is also called leopardite. It has colors ranging from white to orange and spots reminiscent of leopard skin.
• Mokaïte jasper: Its name refers to the region where it was discovered: the Mooka Creek in Australia. Hence its other name: Australian jasper! It has many colors, ranging from a cream to brown, through yellow, purple or red.
• Kambaba Jasper: Its color is composed of shades of green and khaki with brown and black spots, which reminds the scales of a crocodile. This explains its nickname of Crocodile Jasper.

Where is jasper found?

This fine stone, once called "semi-precious stone", is found in abundance throughout the world. But the main deposits are in Germany, Brazil, the United States, France, India, Madagascar and the Ural Mountains in Russia.

What are the virtues of the stone jasper?

In lithotherapy, jasper is considered a stone with strong potential, especially on the balance of sorrows, the development of self-esteem, creativity and communication. Its virtues vary according to the color of the jasper.
Red jasper is linked to the 1st chakra, called root chakra. It would push back the harmful influences.
The landscape jasper is ideal for the meditation.
The Mookaïte jasper would act on the 3rd chakra (chakra of the solar plexus) and would support the positive energies, the courage and the confidence in oneself. But it would also act on the root chakra and the sacral chakra to bring balance to the energies.

Attention: our gemstones are not sold for lithotherapy. The natural stones cannot in no case to substitute for a medical expertise or a medical treatment.

How to recharge the jasper ?

Like all lithotherapy stones, jasper accumulates negative energy. Lithotherapists therefore advise to clean and recharge it regularly.
When your stone is not mounted in a jewel, you can clean it by leaving it in a container of demineralized water for several hours.
To purify it, simply place the stone in sunlight for a few hours.

How to wear jasper?

As this stone covers an infinite number of colors, you will be spoilt for choice. Depending on your taste, choose stainless steel, 925 silver, 3-micron gold-plated or 14K gold-filled.

With which stone to associate the jasper? In lithotherapy, it is suggested that different jasper stones be paired together. In a DIY jewel, you can also associate it with Labradorite, Tiger's Eye, Agate, Obsidian, Black Onyx, Quartz, Hematite, Rock Crystal, Citrine, Chrysoprase. Think also of Rubellite, Pietersite, Aventurine, Garnet, Bronzite, Lava Stone, Pyrite, Black Tourmaline or Rhodonite.
On the other hand, it is recommended not to associate red jasper with lapis lazuli.