When Owyhee Jasper is cut en cabochon, it displays a domed top with a flat bottom. They were so amazed with the material they came back and made a claim. They spotted the beautiful rocks and decided to collect a few hundred pounds. It’s said that Owyhee Jasper was found in the late 1960s by Ralph Fulson and Bruce Markus while following a herd of wild Mustangs in their Volkswagon. However, there are currently six different varieties that fall under the Owyhee Jasper title. We know that Owyhee Jasper is incredibly popular for their beautiful depictions of desert and mountain scenery. Owyhee Picture Jasper hails from the rugged Owyhee Mountain area that’s located on the Idaho – Oregon border, just south of Homedale, Idaho. You see, three Hawaiian trappers helped explore the Snake River in the 1800s and sadly went missing in the mountains around 1819 and that is where the Owyhee Mountains and river got their names. However, Owyhee Mountain was named for the natives of Hawaii. Many people hear “Owyhee” and assume the stone must come from somewhere like Hawaii, but that isn’t the case. This variety of Jasper depicts desert scenes, winding roads, high mountain ranges, meadows, and even the sea. Most rockhounds and lapidary artists will be surprised to know, Owyhee Jasper is technically petrified mud. This incredible material can be found under several trade names, including Owyhee Jasper Agate, Owyhee Picture Jasper, Owyhee Junction Jasper, and Owyhee Picture Rock. If you’re wondering where it got its name then look no further than the Owyhee Mountains and Owyhee River. Owyhee Jasper is well known for its variety of colors and is the “King of Picture Jaspers”. Another primary difference between Jasper and Agate is that Jasper is typically opaque, while Agates are generally translucent or they at least contain translucent bands. Owyhee Jasper’s patterns are much less regular and defined compared to Agate. Jasper is a member of the Chalcedony family and has a hardness level of about 7 on Moh’s hardness scale. They have very little pitting and take a high polish which makes them great for jewelry. These beautiful gems are used for designer cabochons because they’re known for their incredible depictions of desert and mountain scenery.
Owyhee Jasper or Owyhee Picture Jasper (pronounced Oh-WAH-hee) is popular among lapidary artists and rockhounds.
0 kommentar(er)
