Ocean Jasper Jewelry
An orbicular jasper covered in colourful circles, found only on Madagascar's coast
Unearthed Gemstones Ocean Jasper Jewelry
Click the photos for a closer look of the jewelry pieces
Hardness
6.5 - 7 (Durable): Great for daily wear.
Toughness
Good (Generally resistant to chipping under normal wear)
Mineral Family
Quartz (Chalcedony)
Transparency
Opaque
Crystal System
Trigonal
Lustre
Vitreous
What Is Ocean Jasper?
Ocean jasper is an orbicular chalcedony found only along a remote stretch of Madagascar's northwest coast, where the original deposit could famously be collected only at low tide. Its trademark is orbs: perfectly round circles and bull's-eyes in green, pink, white, yellow and cream, often mixed with druzy pockets of sparkling quartz. Those spheres formed as silica crystallised outward from countless tiny centres. The classic Marovato deposit is now worked out, which makes fine old material increasingly collectable.
Is Ocean Jasper Durable Enough for Everyday Jewelry?
Ocean jasper wears well, sitting at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale with the good toughness typical of chalcedony. It is cut as cabochons, beads and polished slabs, with cutters chasing the most playful orb patterns. It suits pendants, rings and statement pieces, and honestly, half the joy is just staring into it.
How to Care for Ocean Jasper Jewelry
Care is easy: warm, soapy water and a soft brush.
How to Tell If Ocean Jasper Is Real
Its patterns are so distinctive that convincing fakes are rare, though other orbicular jaspers are sometimes borrowed under its name.
Gemstones Similar to Ocean Jasper
Fellow patterned jaspers and agates, each with a signature style of markings.
