Birthstone Month:
Jasper is associated with the birthstone month of January.

Zodiac:
Jasper is associated with the zodiac signs of Aquarius and Leo.

Chemical Symbol:
SiO2

Chemical Make-up:
Jasper is a microcrystalline variety of Quartz, and a member of the Chalcedony family. It often contains organic material and iron oxides that account for its interesting patterns, bands, and colors.

History & Lore:
The name Jasper means “spotted stone”, and is ultimately derived from the Persian word 'yashp'.

Jasper was a favorite gemstone of ancient times and can be traced back to Greek, Hebrew, Persian, Latin, and Assyrian literature.

Jasper is a protective stone and is said to align the chakras and balance the yin & yang energies. In legend, Jasper was believed to protect against evil spirits and forces, and was also believed to bring courage and relief from pain. Additionally, it is also said that Jasper has the ability to protect against venomous snake and spider bites.

Availability:
Oolitic Jasper is generally readily available at affordable prices.

Sources:
Jasper can be found worldwide.

The value of Oolitic Jaspers can be determined by the saturation and richness of the color, the beauty of the exhibited multi-colored spots, and the design in which it is formed.

Common Cuts:
Jasper has been used for sculptures, bowls, vases, seals, and other such ornamentation purposes dating back thousands of years. As a gemstone, Oolitic Jasper is most commonly found cut into cabochons and beads.

Routine Enhancements:
Oolitic Jasper is not known to be enhanced.

Care & Cleaning:
Jaspers are often sealed with petroleum products therefore they should not be cleaned with water because it can remove the coating / 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 jewelry items so as to avoid scratching.