Jasper...

I always thought that Jasper, the gemstone, was simply that...Jasper.  I'm learning that is simply not the case.  I asked where to find "the Jasper beads" and I was asked what kind of Jasper.  Who knew that there were choices? 

Here a few of the choices you have when you ask for this beautiful stone...

Dalmation Jasper - This Jasper is opaque, gray to yellowish grey with greenish black spots similar in appearance to a Dalmation. Dalmatian Jaspers are often imported from Mexico

Dalmation Jasper

Fancy Jasper - Fancy Jasper blends mauve, cream, green and lilac to create a rich and luxurious stones.  This stone looks fabulous with other green stones as an accent bead (I'm working on a necklace of these stones:-)  The rough stones are mined and imported from either Russia or India.

Fancy Jasper

Leopardskin Jasper - This is my personal favorite!  This earth toned stone has intricate circular spots, much like a leopard's spots.  The colors range from deep, dark brown (think chocolate) to pale cream.  Most leopardskin Jasper is from Mexico.

Leopardskin Jasper

Ocean Jasper - This stone has very pale green and cream tones.  It's a very "earthy looking" stone. 

Ocean Jasper

Autumn Jasper - This Jasper comes in earthy colors ranging from warm pale brick red to avocado green.

Autumn Jasper

Brecciated Jasper - This form of Jasper is a rich, deep red color and has "silvery" streaks throughout.  It is sometimes found in red-brown and a pale cream with a reddish tint.  Brecciated Jasper is a popular gemstone and is becoming increasingly rare, so the price of jewelry pieces made with this stone are usually slightly higher..

Brecciated Jasper Chips

Red Jasper - This Jasper is a dark brick red.  It is often confused with pipestone (a stone found in Minnesota and often used by the Plains Indians), however, Red Jasper is a "harder" stone and is found in Australia and India.  Make sure when purchasing Red Jasper that you are not confusing it with polished red coral as they are similar in appearance.  The rough stones are mined in Idaho.

Red Jasper

Sesame Jasper - This Jasper is a delicate translucent white with a swirl of mint green with a scattering of black polka-dots.  This make a beautiful stone suitable for matching up with many other beads for a stuning effect.

Sesame Jasper Coin Beads

Picasso Jasper - Picasso Jasper is mined in Utah and it has wide streaks of black, grey and sometimes red throught the stones.

Picasso Jasper Tube Beads

Kambaba Jasper - These stones are absolutely gorgeous!  They come in deep patterns of green with darker green "swirls" or "circles".  The rough stones come from Madagascar.

Kambaba Jasper

I'm sure that there are probably a dozon other types, but these are the natural one's I have found so far~lol 
*All of these are "natural" forms of Jasper and have not had anything done to them other than cutting and polishing.  I did find a few others that had been "altered", but as I prefer natural stones and gems, I decided not to include them.

FYI:  Jasper is thought of as the stone of relaxation and tranquility.

Care of Jasper:  Jaspers are often sealed with petroleum products and should therefore not be cleaned with water because this can remove the polish. It is best to clean your Jasper jewelry with a soft dry cloth. As with most gemstones, Jaspers should be kept away from exposure to extremes of heat and household chemicals that can damage the stone. Always keep your Jasper jewelry in a fabric-lined box away from other harder jewelry items so as to avoid scratching.