Orbicular jasper

Orbicular jasper is a variety of jasper which contains variably-colored orbs or spherical inclusions or zones. In highly silicified rhyolite or tuff, quartz and feldspar crystallize in radial aggregates of needle-like crystals which provide the basis or seed for the orbicular structure seen in this kind of jasper.[1] The material is quite attractive when polished and is used as an ornamental stone or gemstone.

Orbicular jasper from Madagascar

Various local or commercial names have been used for the material, such as kinradite, oregonite, ocean jasper and poppy-patterned jasper, depending on the source. Poppy-patterned jasper or poppy jasper is the varietal name for material from several locations, but the most well known is from Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County, California.[2] The trade name ocean jasper is used for a variety found along the intertidal shores of northeast Madagascar. In Nebraska orbicular jasper is found in altered rhyolite beds noted for a variety of jaspers and related agates. In 2017, orbicular jasper was discovered in the Rhodopes of Bulgaria, under the trade name Arda Jasper TM.[3]

  • Unpolished poppy jasper, Morgan Hill
    Unpolished poppy jasper, Morgan Hill
  • Madagascar orbicular jasper (detail)
    Madagascar orbicular jasper (detail)
  • Bulgarian Orbicular Arda Jasper TM
    Bulgarian Orbicular Arda Jasper TM
  • Bulgarian Orbicular Arda Jasper TM
    Bulgarian Orbicular Arda Jasper TM

References
  1. "Nebraska". America's Volcanic Past. United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  2. Hohmann, James (12 November 2006). "City pride built on poppy jasper". San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  3. "A Greek discovered a deposit of rare jasper in the Momchilgrad region". World Today News. 27 December 2021. Archived from the original on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
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