Our latest publication in the 'Stone of the Month' column is about July jasper, hard semi-precious stone (or its varieties, since sometimes other minerals that are similar in composition and physical and chemical properties are called jasper). Among the numerous varieties of quartz formations, this particular mineral has absorbed the entire spectrum of sunlight – jasper comes in yellow-red, red, orange, yellow, green, brown, almost black and white. Jasper is an opaque coloured mineral, a semi-precious or ornamental stone. It is comprised basically of quartz and chalcedony, supplemented by impurities. Manganese, iron, mica or chlorite, chaotically arranged, create the colouring and structure of the stone.

Jasper is very popular stone with huge number of varieties: wonderstone, red, grey (cartographic), Mookaite jasper, Kambamba jasper, bloodstone (heliotrope) and 'cobweb'. "Jaspis" was the name given to jasper in Rus. The name was derived from the Greek "Iaspis", which means "mottled". The word 'jasper' itself became popular only from the 1950s onwards.

Jasper deposits are found all over the world. The largest and best known are located in Russia, the USA, India, Egypt and a number of European countries – the Czech Republic, Germany and France. The oldest mining sites are located in India and Egypt. Some of the best in the world are considered to be samples mined in Russia. The most famous is the mottled Orsk jasper. It is mined near the town of Orsk in the Southern Urals. The major deposit is located near Mount Polkovnik. Other famous South Urals jasper deposits are Sibai and Miasskoye ones. No less beautiful jaspers are mined in Altai, where there are famous deposits located near the town of Zmeinogorsk.

The history of jasper usage dates back thousands of years, beginning in the Neolithic period. At that time people valued the stone for its hardness and made tools from it – arrowheads and spears. Jaspers were originally mined from the surface, but as early as 3-4 thousand years ago, they began to be mined underground. In ancient times, jasper was used to make seals and amulets. Later, people appreciated the "magical" value of the stone. For example, the stone was buried in the ground to make the harvest of fruit abundant.

In Russia, jasper enjoyed great popularity under Catherine the Great, who developed the stone-cutting business and promoted the creation of several large factories for processing jasper. The 19^th century can be considered the heyday of jasper items – monumental works of art have come down to us. They are columns, bowls, torcheres, table tops and even the jasper cabinet in the Pushkin Palace near St. Petersburg.

Modern lithotherapy calls jasper a natural stimulant. Jasper is believed to have a gentle healing effect on the human body. The mineral normalizes the functioning of all organs and systems, and its properties vary depending on its colour. In ancient times, healers and wizards believed that red jasper could stop a hemorrhage, and yellow jasper could cure stomach problems and return fertility to women.

Jasper is a source of beneficent energy. Jasper jewellery cannot do any harm to its owner. All items and jewellery made of jasper can serve as amulets. They bring happiness and peace in the house.

Nowadays, jasper is one of the most available gems and jewellery stones. It is widely used to decorate various haberdashery items such as cufflinks, tie-pins, rings, bracelets, brooches, as well as to create ashtrays, boxes, various candlesticks, writing implements, etc. Jasper is sometimes used as decorative facing stone (for decorating ceremonial interiors); it is one of the main materials for stone mosaics.

Photo album "Jasper – one of the July stones mascots" is posted in the museum Photo Gallery. 

Interesting facts about jasper:
- A statue of the Buddha made of green jasper and weighing 5 tons stands In the temple of Wat Phra Keo Don Tao, located in the small town of Lampang (Thailand);
- The maces of Bogdan Khmelnitsky and Khan Amin were inlaid with precious stones and jasper;
- The Hermitage holds a giant green jasper vase over 5 meters in diameter and weighing 19 tons;
- The fireplaces of the Moscow Kremlin are faced with jasper;
- Alexander Pushkin wore a bracelet made of green jasper to improve his health.