2.9" Polished, Brecciated Red Jasper - South Africa

This is a 2.9" wide section of brecciated red jasper that has been polished to a mirror-finish on one side. It comes with an acrylic display stand.

Jasper is a term that can be applied to an opaque variety of chalcedony. The opaqueness is due to a higher concentration of impurities mixed with silica/quartz compared to other varieties of silica, such as quartz or agates. Like agate it may form in a wide variety of colors, and is often multi-colored. In most cases, jasper forms when silica-rich fluids permeate throughout a soft sediment or volcanic debris deposit. The fluids then crystallize around the particles/impurities, resulting in a cementation process. Most often, the impurities present determine the coloration of the deposit following solidification, but other factors can play a role in the color of what is now considered a jasper.

The term "brecciated" is related to a previously solid rock that has undergone pressures and shifting that caused broken-up, angular fragments. Following the breaking of this rock, ground water containing silica assisted in the natural cementing process of the fragmented rock, resulting in this beautiful mineral formation.

SOLD
DETAILS
SPECIES
Chalcedony var. Jasper
LOCATION
South Africa
SIZE
2.9" in diameter
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#136888