Jasper
- This article is about the mineral. For other uses see Jasper (disambiguation)
Jasper is an opaque, impure variety of quartz that is usually red, yellow or brown in color. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface that 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. The Egyptian pebble is a brownish-yellow jasper.
Etymology
The name means "spotted stone", and is derived from Middle English jaspre, from Middle French, from Latin jaspis, from Greek iaspis, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew yAshepheh jasper.
See also
