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Mineral: quartz
Gem: belvade jasper (aka. belvidere jasper)
Size:
Carat:
Cut: freeform cabochons
Origin: Oregon
General Info: Jasper is derived from the Anglo-French "jaspre", meaning "spotted stone". Jasper is usually formed from old sediments (or volcanic ash flows) that have been glued (and at times replaced) with silica.

Flow patterns of the original material are often easy to see. Many jaspers are know as picture jasper because they contain what appear to be small images of sand dunes, mountains, plains, and even sky. Since the original materials were likely cross bedded sediments, they often contain the structure they mimic.

Additional Information
This material was originally dug in the 60s and 70s and was unearthed in th Burns, Oregon area. Most of the rough and samples I have seen are predomanently green to greenish-blue backgrounds with strong dashes of reds and yellows creating much of the pattern. It takes an excellent polish and works well.

The two cabochons shown her were both cut by the author, and the first is framed in black-jade, it is the more typical coloration of the jasper. The second stone is framed with porcelanite and it is not as typical, but not truely rare.