This polished Royal Imperial Jasper pair shows repeated egg patterning with healed brecciation in varying hues of green jasper, outlined in brown with faint horizontal banding, inside a cream outer host. Each half sits nicely on its own without a stand, and the individual pictures show their natural orientation.
Polished surfaces:
11.5cm x 5.8cm and 10.5cm x 5cm
Approx. depth
1.5" and 1.25"
Weight:
12.3oz and 10.5oz
1lb 6.8oz together
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.