Jasper (quartz)

Other names:

Hornstone, Plasma (dark green), Prase (green), Silex (brown with red spots)

Appearance:

Opaque; all colours are possible, most often spotted or striped.

Common variations...

Agate jasper, Egyptian jasper, Riband jasper, Basanite (black), Blood jasper (actually heliotrope!), Scenic jasper (from scenic inclusions), Swiss lapis (prussian blue).

Esoteric beliefs and associations...

Red Jasper is associated with the month of March and the zodiac sign of Aries. Stones containing strong traces of brown, particularly Silex, are often used for the healing of sick or injured animals.

Physical properties...

Chemistry	Silicon dioxide
System/Structure	Hexagonal (grainy microcrystalline aggregate)
Refractive Index	1.540 - 1.549
Specific Gravity	2.58 - 2.91
Mohs' Hardness	6.5 - 7.0