Jasper (part 1)
Jasper
Jasper is an opaque, impure variety of quartz, usually red, yellow or brown in color. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and 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. Jaspilite is a banded iron formation rock that often has distinctive bands of jasper. The Egyptian pebble is a brownish-yellow jasper.
Etymology and historical/mythical usage
The name means “spotted stone”, and is derived from Anglo-French jaspre, from Old French jaspe, from Latin iaspidem, the accusative of iaspis, from Greek iaspis, via a Semitic language (cf. Hebrew yashepheh, Akkadian yashupu), ultimately from Persian yashp.According to Rebbenu Bachya, the word Yasfeh in the verse Exodus 28:20 means jasper and was the stone on the Ephod representing the tribe of Benjamin.It is described in the Book of Revelation (21:11) as: having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
In our next issue we will continue to learn about Jasper. Or please visit our Beading Newsletter Archives section located at the left hand side of our homepage or simply click here…
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[Source: Beads and Beading Blog]