Description
Zebra Jasper owes its name to its distinctive zebra print. Jasper is an opaque and finely crystalline variety of quartz. Its chemical composition is identical to that of agate, flint, and chert. Its colors are variable, ranging from yellow through red and reddish brown to green. Jasper stones are cut and polished for jewelry. The name jasper derives from a Semitic language via Latin and Greek (íaspis) and means "spotted or speckled stone." The main deposits of jasper are India (Dekkan Plateau) and Mexico (yellow), Germany (red), and Africa, Australia, Brazil, Egypt, France, and the United States (other colors). Jasper has been used as a gemstone since ancient times. It was used to make seal stones, small cut stones, and trinkets. Jasper was believed to have magical powers. In ancient times, it was sometimes called the mother of all stones. Today, it is used in cabochons, tableware, and crafts. Imitations are made of glass. The Egyptians and Greeks already used jasper to enhance sexuality and to achieve rapid pregnancy. Among Native Americans, yellow jasper served as a rainstone. Several medicinal properties are attributed to jasper, such as stress reduction, weight loss, treating stomach complaints, and resolving liver problems. According to various literary sources, jasper is associated with the zodiac signs Aries, Virgo, Cancer, and Scorpio. The Christian scripture Revelation 4:2-3 states: "In that moment I was in the Spirit. There was a throne in heaven, and someone was sitting on it. The one sitting had the appearance of a jasper and a sardine stone, and around the throne was a rainbow in color like an emerald.".
