This polished Royal Imperial Jasper cut shows repeated egg patterning and banding in muted shades of khaki and light to dark pinkish mauve. The back of the nodule is exposed jasper with no host.
15.5cm x 8.2cm polished surface
Between .5" and 1.5" deep
1lb 1.4oz
Imperial Jasper comes from central Mexico, near the border of Zacatecas and Jalisco and north of the city Guadalajara. It is known for the size of the jasper deposit, its formation in both veins and nodules, and its ability to form the "egg-patterning" found in only a handful of fine jaspers. Nodular pieces (which are highly associated with this patterning) are typically referred to as Royal Imperial Jasper. Horizontal banding, streamers, or 'spiderweb' patterns are also common. Classic colors for the material are green or dusty pink jasper, but it can skew to red, mauve purple, or even blue.