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jasper

jasper

1 8.2
A hard, colored stone used for jewelry and decoration
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒæspər/
translation icon : jaspe
  • The necklace featured a stunning pendant made of jasper, showcasing its rich red color.
  • red jasper

Examples

  • There are jasper vases, porcelains I am told are rare, a handsome commode with lacquered corners, and two porphyry tables.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Dissecting the corpse with a hatchet, the scientist Lichtenberger found the heart "strongly resembled a piece of red jasper."

    Academic text (2005)
  • Also, the holy city is described as having walls and foundations made of precious stones, one of them being jasper.

    Blog text (13)
  • The priests in the Old Testament also wore jasper as one of the 12 precious stones on the breastplate of decision.

    Blog text (13)
  • His quartz collection had everything from rock crystal and milky quartz to agate, opal, and jasper, and I can't remember what else.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond; beryl, onyx, and jasper; sapphire, turquoise.

    Blog text (31)
  • In your pocket is the necklace you bought earlier, teardrops of semiprecious stones on a silver chain: agate, jasper, tiger's eye, amber, moonstone, and a few things you don't recognize, clear colors, smooth to the fingers.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Many artisans use jasper to create beautiful decorative items that enhance interior spaces.

  • During the rock show, I admired the various types of jasper displayed in the vendor's booth.

Synonyms

gem
vsjasper
47 1.3

A small valuable stone cut and polished for use in jewelry or decoration

is a particular ornamental quartz variety, not a general precious stone
gemstone
vsjasper
15 3.3

A hard, shiny stone cut and polished for use in jewelry

is a specific opaque quartz variety rather than any cut and polished stone
jasper stone
vsjasper
1 7.4

A hard, colorful rock often red, brown or green used for jewelry and decoration

is the same but presented as the single canonical term

Compounds

1 7.4

A hard, colorful rock often red, brown or green used for jewelry and decoration

How Clear

rock crystal
  • Specialized
1 4.9
calcedony
  • Specialized
9.9
agate
3 7.3
jasper
1 8.2

Surface Forms

jasper singular
jaspers plural

Etymology

Jasper comes from an old Greek word iaspis that meant 'spotted stone'. That's a handy image: jasper is a colorful, often speckled rock, so the name fits its use as a decorative gemstone.