Jasper

[Wwoofa]

Hi,
This month's "Gem of the Month" is .... Jasper.

Feel free to add more info & pics. If anyone has any questions about Jasper then this is a good place to post them.

You might like to change your "Gem of the Month" votes now that this one has been covered.

General Information:
Jasper is a form of chalcedony. It is usually red, yellow, brown or green in color. The common red color is due to iron inclusions. The mineral breaks with a smooth surface and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished.

Here are a few useful links that should cover all of the main information and lots of pictures.

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper
Mindat - http://www.mindat.org/min-2082.html
Gemdat - http://www.gemdat.org/gem-2082.html
Minerals.Net - http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/jasper_gemstone.aspx

Fossicking Locations:
Excellent quality Jasper of all colours can be found in many locations in Australia.  Often nice pebbles can be found on various beaches.

Here are just a few of the the more well known locations.  I'm sure ALFer's can add lots of locations to the list.

QLD
Agate Creek
Chinchilla
Murgon

NSW
Bellata
Kangaroo Valley
Nundle
Rainbow Beach
Tamworth
Woodsreef

WA
Marble Bar
Mooka Station

NT
Wave Hill

[Findem]

There are lots of jasper localities around Nowra. You can download my ebook "Field Geology of the Shoalhaven District" by clicking here: http://www.aussiesapphire.com/ALF_Storage/Field%20Geology%20of%20the%20Shoalhaven%20District%20John%20Paix%201970.pdf .

[Murf]

Hi,
     One good place for fossicking Jasper is Penguin in Tasmania. You will find mainly red jasper but there is also yellow and green also will find breccia. I have included a photo below with a sample of jasper I have collected from penguin that I have put through my tumbler.
Copy and paste link below for fossicking area details.


http://www.mrt.tas.gov.au/portal/page?                                                                            _pageid=35,831340&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

[Jamo]

Nice Jasper down there Murf. Yet another reason to visit the apple isle.

[Lapis Lupinus]

Terrific colours and patterns Murf

[1971sharyn]

Cedar Creek Jasper 

[MALACHI]

I love this stone for its variety of colours and patterns. Just like in Sharyns lovely pieces.

Mario 

[brett h]

Wow Sharyn... You've come a long way in a short time!  Those pieces look awesome!  Kudos!!

[1971sharyn]

Wow Sharyn... You've come a long way in a short time!  Those pieces look awesome!  Kudos!!

haha Brett I would love to take the credit but Jamo & Rock Hunter polished those for me, I just added the silver and provided the slabs this year though I intend to give it a go 

[1971sharyn]

Where are everyone else's pic's of Jasper? I'd love to see what is around 

[brett h]

Okay Sharyn, you asked for it... Here is a Mookaite handled Damascus Knife and come of my Jasper cabs:

[1971sharyn]

Awesome Brett  where is the last one from?

[brett h]

Hi Sharyn, the green one is from Rockhampton area allegedly.  It's a rhyolite.

[colza]

That last one is fantastic Brett. Rockhampton area's been added to my bucket list of places to fossick.
Cheers,
colza

[brett h]

Oops, I was looking at 2nd last.. The last one is Morrisonite from Oregon.  I've just finished two Owyhee  Jasper cabs n the weekend thanks to the speedy delivery of a small trim saw.  Cheers Aussie Sapphire!!