The Encyclopedia · Stones & materials
Jasper
An opaque, richly coloured quartz, often patterned, found in reds, greens, browns and yellows.
Jasper has been used for seals, cameos and ornaments since antiquity. Twentieth-century designers, among them Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co., valued it for its earthy colours and patterns.
What to look for
Look for an even polish and check edges and corners for chips. Patterns vary from one stone to another, so a pair should be well matched.
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