Description
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, 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 made into seal stones, small cut stones, and trinkets. Jasper was believed to have magical powers. In ancient times, it was called the mother of all stones. Today, it is used in cabochons, tableware, and handicrafts. Imitations are made from glass. The Egyptians and Greeks used jasper to enhance sexuality and achieve rapid pregnancy. Among Native Americans, yellow jasper served as a rainstone. Jasper is attributed with several medicinal properties, such as stress reduction, weight loss, stomach complaints, and 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: (2) "I was in the midst of thee, and behold, there was a throne in heaven, and one sat on it. (3) The one sitting had the appearance of a jasper and a sardine stone, and around the throne was a rainbow in appearance like an emerald.".
The most beautiful minerals, fossils, and gemstones from Madagascar. Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar and formerly known as the Malagasy Republic, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of Africa. The nation consists of the island of Madagascar (the fourth-largest island in the world) and numerous smaller outlying islands. It is a renowned diving and swimming destination and is famous for its high-quality gemstones mined from its soil and rocks. We at Timmersgems are proud to say that we are the second-largest importer of Madagascan gemstones in Europe, just behind a French company. Every year, we fill at least three large containers with the finest gemstones, minerals, and buffalo horns. If you take a look in our webshop and showroom, you will find a wide range of labradorite, amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, and many other varieties. We do business with 17 small family businesses on the island. This way, we can guarantee that you will find the best and most beautiful gemstones and minerals. We have also supported these families since the beginning of our business 35 years ago. We have lost our hearts to the island, its people, and its products. It is a wonderful thing to visit the island every year and find the best stones and minerals for you. Madagascar's natural resources include a range of unprocessed agricultural products and minerals, including raffia, fishing, and forestry, and are a mainstay of the economy. Madagascar is one of the world's leading suppliers of vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang. Other important agricultural resources include coffee, lychees, and shrimp. Important mineral resources include various types of precious and semi-precious stones, and Madagascar currently provides half of the world's supply of sapphires, which were discovered near Ilakaka in the late 1990s. The island also has one of the largest reserves of ilmenite (titanium ore), as well as significant reserves of chromite, coal, iron, cobalt, copper, and nickel. Several major projects are underway in the mining, oil, and gas sectors, and these are expected to provide a significant boost to the Madagascan economy. These include projects such as Rio Tinto's ilmenite and zircon mining of heavy mineral sands near Tolanaro. Madagascar is a very poor country with abundant flora and fauna. In Madagascar, you can encounter 400 plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. The minerals blue celestite, labradorite, and polychrome and ocean jasper are also found only in Madagascar.
