K2 Jasper Jewelry
A white granite dotted with blue azurite orbs, collected at the foot of K2 in Pakistan
Unearthed Gemstones K2 Jasper Jewelry
Click the photos for a closer look of the jewelry pieces
Hardness
6 - 7 (Medium to Durable): Wear with care; This gemstone can dull over time.
Toughness
Good (Generally resistant to chipping under normal wear)
Mineral Family
Granite (Quartz, Feldspar and Azurite)
Transparency
Opaque
Crystal System
Monoclinic
Lustre
Vitreous
What Is K2 Jasper?
K2 jasper, also called K2 granite or ketonite, is one of the best geology stories in the tray. Despite the name, it is not actually a jasper. It is a fine-grained white granite dotted with perfectly round orbs of bright blue azurite, and it is collected at the foot of K2, the world's second-highest mountain, in the Karakoram range of Pakistan. The remote, high-altitude source means supply is limited and every piece is hauled out the hard way. Under a loupe you can see the azurite staining radiate through the granite like drops of ink.
Is K2 Jasper Durable Enough for Everyday Jewelry?
The granite base is a solid 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, though the azurite spots are softer. It is cut as cabochons and beads that frame those blue polka dots, and it looks brilliant in pendants and rings alike.
How to Care for K2 Jasper Jewelry
Avoid scrubbing the blue spots hard or exposing the stone to acids. Clean it with a quick wash in warm, soapy water and dry it promptly.
How to Tell If K2 Jasper Is Real
Dyed imitations exist, so check that the blue sits in soft-edged, natural-looking orbs rather than uniform painted circles.
Gemstones Similar to K2 Jasper
Lapis lazuli and sodalite share a similar deep blue, if that's what you're looking for.
