Jasper is a massive opaque variety that is a mixture of chalcedony, quartz, and opal. The name comes from the Latin name for the stone, iaspis, which probably also referred to other types of chalcedony. Jasper is found as small veins and replacements in different metamorphic and sedimentary rock, and in cracks of volcanic rocks. It is fine-grained and colored by red and yellow iron oxides or green chlorite and actinolite.Jasper was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans who carved portraits and such ornamental objects as amulets. It was believed that a person wearing jasper would be protected from illness, especially stomach problems. It has traditionally been used as a gemstone for jewelry; pictured to the left is slabs of landscape/picture jasper.
In this design, these colorful jasper rondelles remind me of the southwest. They give an appearance of rugged earth caverns in shades of rusts, browns, creams, hints of yellow, green and blue. The perfect accent is this beautiful turquoise cross pendant in a lovely shade of blue/green and heavy veining in black/brown; the bail and wire work are of artistic non-tarnish silver wire. I’ve added in a few round turquoise stones that have light brown/tan veining and pewter metal barrel beads that have been etched,
giving another flavor of southwest to this necklace design.Jaspers: Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies.
Turquoise: Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity.
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