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Imperial Jasper

imperial jasper pendant in sterling silver

Imperial Jasper is a type of fine jasper from Mexico, primarily found in the Zacatecas and Jalisco regions. It is known for its beautiful and intricate patterns, which can include banding, “egg” patterns, and swirls, and comes in a range of colors like pink, green, mauve, and blue

Imperial Jasper – Fine Jasper from Mexico’s Canyons | Rock Your World – Rock Your World

For thousands of years, civilizations like the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and various Native American tribes, highly valued jasper as a protective stone. It was believed to ward off negative energies and bring strength, courage, and physical well-being

In ancient Egypt, it was used in amulets and was linked to fertility and the goddess Isis. In biblical times, it was one of the twelve stones on the High Priest’s breastplate. The Vikings inlaid red jasper into the hilt of the hero Siegfried’s sword for courage.

Jasper was used for carving seals, talismans, and other decorative objects. In ancient China, imperial seals were carved from jasper, and it was used in sculptures and royal residences. 

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New extraordinary rings

green moss agate ring in sterling silver

New extraordinary rings in Crazy Lace Agate, Leopard Skin Rhyolite and Green Moss Agate. All are set in Sterling Silver, sizes vary.

Crazy lace agate is a banded agate with intricate, swirling patterns. It is known for its earthy colors like creams, browns, blacks, grays, and golds, and sometimes pinks or reds. This gemstone, also called the “laughter stone,” is primarily mined in Mexico. It is valued for its unique patterns

Green moss agate is a variety of chalcedony quartz. It is known for its milky-white base and green, moss-like inclusions caused by minerals like manganese or iron. It is a hard gemstone, with a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7. It is often used in jewelry. Metaphysically, it is associated with nature, growth, new beginnings, and emotional healing.

Leopard skin rhyolite, also known as leopard skin jasper, is an igneous volcanic rock with a spotted, leopard-like appearance. This is due to orbs and circular patterns. It is primarily composed of quartz and feldspar. It is typically found in Mexico and is valued for its unique look in jewelry, lapidary work, and as a decorative stone

GIA Education Story | GIA Education

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Garnet Ring and Earrings

garnet ring and earrings in sterling silver

Garnet Ring and Earrings set in sterling silver. The name “garnet” comes from the Latin for “pomegranate seed,” referencing its deep red color.

Thousands of years ago, red garnet necklaces adorned the necks of Egypt’s pharaohs, and were entombed with their mummified corpses as prized possessions for the afterlife. In ancient Rome, signet rings with carved garnets were used to stamp the wax that secured important documents.

The term carbuncle was often used in ancient times to refer to red garnets, although it was used for almost any red stone. Carbuncle was thought to be one of the four precious stones given to King Solomon by God.

Centuries later, in Roman scholar Pliny’s time (23 to 79 AD), red garnets were among the most widely traded gems. In the Middle Ages (about 475 to 1450 AD), red garnet was favored by clergy and nobility.

Red garnet’s availability increased with the discovery of the famous Bohemian garnet deposits in central Europe around 1500. This source became the nucleus of a regional jewelry industry that reached its peak in the late 1800s.

Read About Garnet History & Where to Buy Garnet Gemstones

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Black Friday Holiday 2025

Black Friday Holiday 2025! Use coupon code Holiday25 for 10% off everything now through December 25th! Enter the coupon code at checkout and your new total will reflect the 10% off savings!

black friday holiday 2025

Spectral Stone specializes in hand polished semi-precious stone, primarily agates and jaspers. The inspiration in my work comes from an appreciation of nature’s enduring beauty. Established July 2019.

~make it your ambition to live a quiet life, and to work with your hands~

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Gemstone Lore

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Serape Jasper

Serape Jasper is a type of banded agate/jasper blend found in Mexico, known for its bold patterns and vibrant colors that resemble the traditional Mexican sarape blanket.


Physical Properties and Origin

Uses: Its ability to take a high gloss polish makes it a favorite for lapidaries who use it to create cabochons, beads, and various ornamental carvings or display pieces.

Origin: Sarape Jasper is found near Chihuahua, Mexico, in the same mines as the well-known Lace Agates. It is considered a relatively new find.

Appearance: The stone features rich, bold bands of colors, typically including red, black, cream, orange, and sometimes yellow or violet. The striking, often zigzagging patterns are the basis for its name, as they resemble the striped designs of a traditional sarape blanket.

Composition: It is an opaque, impure variety of silica, an aggregate of microgranular quartz and/or chalcedony. The red and black coloration is often due to a higher iron content.

Sarape Jasper, Rough Rock, per lb| The Gem Shop, Inc.