Gem Profile- Picture Jasper
This article is one of a five-part series on Jasper. Here is a complete list of our Jasper articles: What is Jasper?, Bloodstone, Picture Jasper, Patterned Jasper, Beautifully Colored Jasper.
I am sure that some of you wondered how I could write an entire article on just picture jasper, but there are so many different varieties and interesting names and stories about this beautiful rock, that I have had to link certain articles into mine! I hope that the following information will help you identify jasper material that you may not have known the name for, as well as give you conversation fodder to share with your potential customers.
I am sure that some of you wondered how I could write an entire article on just picture jasper, but there are so many different varieties and interesting names and stories about this beautiful rock, that I have had to link certain articles into mine! I hope that the following information will help you identify jasper material that you may not have known the name for, as well as give you conversation fodder to share with your potential customers.
How is Picture Jasper Different?
Jasper is a massive, fine-grained cryptocrystalline quartz with mineral impurities.
These impurities layer to form impressionist pictures resembling landscapes.
Colors evoke sky, water, mountains, trees, hills, plants, and animals.
Picture jasper names often identify locations, regions, or unusual colors.
This article highlights varieties popular with wire jewelry artists.
Landscape Jasper Pendant wire wrapped by Beverly Brown
Jasper is a massive, fine-grained cryptocrystalline quartz with mineral impurities.
These impurities layer to form impressionist pictures resembling landscapes.
Colors evoke sky, water, mountains, trees, hills, plants, and animals.
Picture jasper names often identify locations, regions, or unusual colors.
This article highlights varieties popular with wire jewelry artists.
Landscape Jasper Pendant wire wrapped by Beverly Brown
A selection of picture jasper cabochons. Private collection, Dale Armstrong
Biggs Jasper
Scenic jasper from Idaho, Washington, and Oregon is popular lapidary material.
The Pacific Ring of Fire includes Sherman County, Oregon. Volcanic layers there formed "Biggs" picture jasper.
Road crews discovered Biggs jasper in 1964 during Interstate 84 construction.
Research reveals the real story from original miners in "The History of Biggs Jasper."
Biggs shows detailed swirls, curls, arcs, bands, and scallops in chocolate brown or charcoal.
Backgrounds feature pastel blues, rosy beiges, tans, yellows, and pale greens.
It resembles the local landscape, sometimes called petrified mud or silicified volcanic ash.
Biggs jasper cabochon dug and cut by Bob Bleily of Oregon.
Scenic jasper from Idaho, Washington, and Oregon is popular lapidary material.
The Pacific Ring of Fire includes Sherman County, Oregon. Volcanic layers there formed "Biggs" picture jasper.
Road crews discovered Biggs jasper in 1964 during Interstate 84 construction.
Research reveals the real story from original miners in "The History of Biggs Jasper."
Biggs shows detailed swirls, curls, arcs, bands, and scallops in chocolate brown or charcoal.
Backgrounds feature pastel blues, rosy beiges, tans, yellows, and pale greens.
It resembles the local landscape, sometimes called petrified mud or silicified volcanic ash.
Biggs jasper cabochon dug and cut by Bob Bleily of Oregon.
I have a student-friend, Barb Hiatt, who lives in the Biggs jasper area.
For this article, Barb and her partner Jimmi researched and took photos to share. They also brought home rough to cab for Barb's wire jewelry designs.
Barb connects with rockhound Arlene Handley, owner of Handley Rock & Gem shop.
Arlene allowed Barb to photograph specimens for this and future articles.
Barb's photos follow.
This is the road cut on I-84 where Biggs jasper can occasionally be found. Photo courtesy Barb Hiatt
For this article, Barb and her partner Jimmi researched and took photos to share. They also brought home rough to cab for Barb's wire jewelry designs.
Barb connects with rockhound Arlene Handley, owner of Handley Rock & Gem shop.
Arlene allowed Barb to photograph specimens for this and future articles.
Barb's photos follow.
This is the road cut on I-84 where Biggs jasper can occasionally be found. Photo courtesy Barb Hiatt
Jimmi had to climb all the way up the cliff to get to the white vein that promised jasper. Photo courtesy Barb Hiatt.
Detail of the promising vein, layered in basalt. Photo courtesy Barb Hiatt
Some of the picture jasper rough found by Barb and Jimmi. Photo courtesy Barb Hiatt
Chunk of genuine Old Biggs Jasper cut to be the base of a statue by the original claim owner Isami Tsubota, aka Sammi.
Owner: Arlene Handley. Photo courtesy Barb Hiatt
Owner: Arlene Handley. Photo courtesy Barb Hiatt
Deschutes JasperDeschutes Jasper is found in the same area as Biggs.
"Hoot" Elkins identified it as the first picture jasper from that region.
Lapidaries call it the best material there: harder, more compact, richer in color.
It features more red-browns with dendritic plants and dark blue skies, unlike Biggs.
Patterns shift from dark to light without breaks.
Could this be Deschutes jasper? Found near Biggs, it lacks markings but has right colors! Owner: Arlene Handley. Photo courtesy Barb Hiatt
"Hoot" Elkins identified it as the first picture jasper from that region.
Lapidaries call it the best material there: harder, more compact, richer in color.
It features more red-browns with dendritic plants and dark blue skies, unlike Biggs.
Patterns shift from dark to light without breaks.
Could this be Deschutes jasper? Found near Biggs, it lacks markings but has right colors! Owner: Arlene Handley. Photo courtesy Barb Hiatt
There are many other scenic jaspers that are labeled with their specific locality.
During my research I happened upon an amazing website specifically devoted to the beauties of jasper, to which I have linked several jasper varieties, because the photography is amazing!
During my research I happened upon an amazing website specifically devoted to the beauties of jasper, to which I have linked several jasper varieties, because the photography is amazing!
Cripple Creek JasperOwyhee Jasper from Homedale, Idaho shows sharply defined curved hills and horizons.
Colors include browns and tans with bluish-gray skies.
It's similar to Wild Horse Jasper from the same region.
That one depicts small tan and brown spots like a "wild paint horse," not scenery.
Colors include browns and tans with bluish-gray skies.
It's similar to Wild Horse Jasper from the same region.
That one depicts small tan and brown spots like a "wild paint horse," not scenery.
Owyhee Picture Jasper Wild Horse Jasper is found in the Owyhee Mountains on the Oregon-Idaho border (south of Homedale).
This jasper shows beautiful scenery in brilliant blues, tans, and browns.
The region abounds with picture jaspers like Bruneau and Willow Creek.
Western Oregon specimens resemble watercolor paintings: Rim, Vistaite, and Marston Ranch pieces.
This jasper shows beautiful scenery in brilliant blues, tans, and browns.
The region abounds with picture jaspers like Bruneau and Willow Creek.
Western Oregon specimens resemble watercolor paintings: Rim, Vistaite, and Marston Ranch pieces.
Faux Picture Jasper, and Picture Jasper Locations
No need to mimic picture jasper with clay or glass.
Controversy arises over what counts as jasper.
Disaster Peak from McDermitt, Nevada shows lovely pictures.
It's fine-grained sandstone, not true jasper.
This gives a solid start for further research.
A variety of picture jasper rough, part of Dale Armstrong's lapidary collection.
No need to mimic picture jasper with clay or glass.
Controversy arises over what counts as jasper.
Disaster Peak from McDermitt, Nevada shows lovely pictures.
It's fine-grained sandstone, not true jasper.
This gives a solid start for further research.
A variety of picture jasper rough, part of Dale Armstrong's lapidary collection.
All picture jaspers discussed here come from the United States.
India, Russia, and Australia also offer beautiful scenic jaspers.
Royal Sahara Jasper from Egypt is a personal favorite, a recent find.
Oasis Prospecting Company discovered this porcelain jasper in 2006 in the eastern Sahara Desert.
It resembles Biggs or Deschutes with no waste in cutting.
Thin outer rind reveals pictures in every nodule and cut.
I introduced it to the US as the first lapidary wire-artist. See the Jan/Feb 2009 Colored Stone article: "Royal Sahara Jasper Gets Wired!"
Picture Jasper wrapped in 14kt gold-filled wire by Jane Duke
Matching pendant and bolo tie from Royal Sahara Jasper cabochons. Designed by Dale Cougar Armstrong, cut by Charlie.
India, Russia, and Australia also offer beautiful scenic jaspers.
Royal Sahara Jasper from Egypt is a personal favorite, a recent find.
Oasis Prospecting Company discovered this porcelain jasper in 2006 in the eastern Sahara Desert.
It resembles Biggs or Deschutes with no waste in cutting.
Thin outer rind reveals pictures in every nodule and cut.
I introduced it to the US as the first lapidary wire-artist. See the Jan/Feb 2009 Colored Stone article: "Royal Sahara Jasper Gets Wired!"
Picture Jasper wrapped in 14kt gold-filled wire by Jane Duke
Matching pendant and bolo tie from Royal Sahara Jasper cabochons. Designed by Dale Cougar Armstrong, cut by Charlie.
Sorry if your favorite picture jasper was not listed.
I could write pages on the different names and colors.
No jasper here is called the "King" of jaspers. Many claim that title as a sales tool.
All jaspers are gorgeous.
I could write pages on the different names and colors.
No jasper here is called the "King" of jaspers. Many claim that title as a sales tool.
All jaspers are gorgeous.
Resources
Print Resources:
Peterson Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN-0-395-91096-X
Colored Stone, January/February 2009, Interweave Press
Internet Resources:
Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Colored Stone magazine titled: "Royal Sahara Jasper Gets Wired!" (PDF download, 226KB)
www.wikipedia.org Jasper
www.worldofjaspers.com
Print Resources:
Peterson Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN-0-395-91096-X
Colored Stone, January/February 2009, Interweave Press
Internet Resources:
Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Colored Stone magazine titled: "Royal Sahara Jasper Gets Wired!" (PDF download, 226KB)
www.wikipedia.org Jasper
www.worldofjaspers.com
Materials
Jasper Beads
Jasper Cabochons
13 Piece Picture Stone Jasper Collar Set - Pack of 1
A2-1999E
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $3.57
- Gold Club Price: $2.68
Wildhorse Picture Jasper 30x40mm Oval Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-482
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $16.97
- Gold Club Price: $12.73
WireJewelry Sea Jasper Rough - Large Natural Gemstones in 1.5 LB Bag
E6-110R
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $19.23
- Gold Club Price: $14.42
13 Piece Rainbow Jasper Collar Set
A2-1993P
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $2.40
- Gold Club Price: $1.80
Imperial Jasper Faceted Hexagon Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-533
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $17.97
- Gold Club Price: $13.48
Iron Zebra Jasper 10x14mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 2
E8-21B
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $4.67
- Gold Club Price: $3.50
Wire
Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
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- Category: General Education
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Dale Armstrong
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What Gauge of Wire Should I Use to Make Jewelry
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