This piece of polished Royal Imperial Jasper shows an egg pattern, horizontal banding, and healed brecciation lines within a slightly orange host. The inner colors show gradients from cream to pink to gray or brown, with dark red accents.
11.3cm x 4.5cm polished surface
Approx. 3.5" deep
1lb 0.2oz
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.