Jasper

Jasper, an aggregate of microgranular quartz and/or chalcedony and other mineral phases is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. The common red color is due to iron inclusions. The mineral aggregate breaks with a smooth surface and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for items such as vases, jewelry, etc.

Some types of jasper

A green variety with red spots, known as heliotrope (bloodstone), is one of the traditional birthstones for March.

Jaspilite is a banded iron formation rock that often has distinctive bands of jasper. For so many millions of years, iron that laid on the seafloor were known to be oxygen that was oxidised, which resulted in the Banded iron formation.

Tiger’s eye is also from jasper formation.

Volcanic Jaspers are volcanic rocks that are silicified known as Rhyolites. The chemistry of rocks can be altered by the thermal waters often associated with the flow of silica. Rhyolites were formed due to rock erupting containing more than 70% Silica with varying structures.

Jasper Breccia ou Brecciated Jasper is a very popular form of Jasper, which the multi-colored layers are enclosed together with a grey substance playing the role of cement. It is a form of Jasper that consists of Haematite.