As a member of the quartz mineral family, Jasper stone is composed of silica which gives this stone an opaque appearance. Does not matter which type of Jasper you consider, each and every jasper specimen contains tiny quartz crystals that have gained a distinct color and pattern because of mineral impurities present in trace amounts, such as the presence of iron in the case with red jasper. Because almost all jaspers have vibrant colors and patterns, lapidaries and jewelers fashion them into polished cabochons, thereby highlighting the intense colors and patterns of the stone.
