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Jasper
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Type Quartz
Essential mineral(s) {{{Essential mineral(s)}}}
Accessory mineral(s) {{{Accessory mineral(s)}}}

Jasper is a common impure variety of quartz. It is usually red, yellow or brown. Jasper has been known to come in more uncommon colors such as green. It can be intensely polished and is used for vases and seals. Banded Jasper occurs when the colors are in stripes and/or bands. Jaspilite is a banded iron formation rock that usually contains distinctive bands/stripes of jasper. Jasper is commonly used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. Patterns are due to mineral impurities and sediments including with volcanic ash. Formations are mainly due to mineral impurities as well as erosion. Red Jasper is also the alternate birthstone of March.

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