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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Jasper Stone

Jasper is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow or brown in color. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and at one time for snuff boxes. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped or banded jasper. Jaspilite is a banded iron formation rock that often has distinctive bands of jasper. Jasper is basically chert which owes its red color to iron(III) inclusions.

Jasper is also the birthstone for Virgo and the month of October. It was a favorite gem in ancient times and is referenced in Greek, Hebrew, Assyrian and Latin literature.

Poppy Jasper is said to help bring joy into life. Opalite Jasper is said to help one sleep.

Legend says that Jasper would drive away evil spirits and protect against snake and spider bites. In the fourth century, it was thought to bring about the rain.

Jasper is protective. It can align all the chakras and balance yin yang energies, it is stabilizing and healing.

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