Jasper is the ancient Hebrew, Italian and Russian birthstone for March. It is an opaque variety of chalcedony that is found in colors ranging from brown, yellow, red, and orange to green, gray, purple and blue. It usually contains organic material and mineral oxides which create gorgeous patterns, bands and color combinations. Because of it's variety of colors and patterns, it's one of my favorite stones to play with.
Historically, jasper was thought to drive away evil spirits and protect against snake and spider bites. Holding a piece of Jasper in the hand during childbirth is said to help relieve pain and guard the mother and child. A protective stone, jasper has a calming effect, giving stability and security. It can align all the chakras, balancing one's physical, emotional and intellectual states.
Different varieties of jasper have specific healing properties, but all jasper has a grounding effect. People who work with jasper often experience change happening in a gentle and gradual way.
Jasper Overview
Ocean Jasper
Ocean Jasper is a rare mineral, mined in only one place in the world - the Ambolobozo Peninsula on the the northwest coast of Madagascar. It is called Ocean Jasper because the deposits are found in the ocean and can only be seen and removed during low tide. Ocean Jasper is easy to recognize by its concentric rings of color and is primarily green and white, but sometimes has pink or yellow in the pattern.
Working with Ocean Jasper is said to create a sense of calmness - like a gentle sea after a storm. It is a soothing, nurturing stone said to help with one's emotional life and is related to the solar plexus, a storehouse for emotions. Working with Ocean Jasper allows one to feel anchored while deeply buried feelings well up and are gently released in a way that allows one to process them calmly, without drowning in them.
Working with Ocean Jasper is said to create a sense of calmness - like a gentle sea after a storm. It is a soothing, nurturing stone said to help with one's emotional life and is related to the solar plexus, a storehouse for emotions. Working with Ocean Jasper allows one to feel anchored while deeply buried feelings well up and are gently released in a way that allows one to process them calmly, without drowning in them.
Fancy Jasper
Fancy Jasper varies in color from olive and forest green to red, mauve, gray and gold. It can be a solid color or, more often, striped, spotted or marbled. Like other varieties of jasper, Fancy Jasper is said to create a sense of well-being. It also helps people "lighten up" and focus on the positive aspects of their lives. Specific colors of Fancy Jasper have special healing qualities; red tones are considered protective, while green jaspers help with healing and yellow jaspers aid mental processes.
Picasso Jasper
Picasso Jasper, named for its abstract patterns of lines and color, ranges from gray and black to various shades of cream. It is said to assist in the development of artistic talents and the fulfillment of creative endeavors. It also brings lightness and reminds us to celebrate life.
Some people believe that Picasso Jasper supports the transformation of relationships - specifically helping to renew old friendships and attracting like minded people who become loyal and trusted friends. Natural healers use Picasso Jasper to help reduce anxiety and stress. It also aids digestion and metabolism, promotes weight loss and may be useful for eye problems.
Some people believe that Picasso Jasper supports the transformation of relationships - specifically helping to renew old friendships and attracting like minded people who become loyal and trusted friends. Natural healers use Picasso Jasper to help reduce anxiety and stress. It also aids digestion and metabolism, promotes weight loss and may be useful for eye problems.
