Batch 84: Unique Beauty of Gemstone Beach Jaspers

Let’s dive into the unique beauty of Gemstone Beach jaspers, which I always keep an eye out for while fossicking.

Types of Jasper

Jasper, along with chert and flint, forms as an opaque variety of silicon dioxide (SiO2) – also known as silica. It usually develops as bands or nodules in sedimentary rocks. For rockhounds like me, jasper is a prized find because of its wide range of colours and patterns.

I’m always on the lookout for red stones, examining nearly every one I pick up. While not all red stones are jasper, and not all jaspers are red, I search for that striking red beauty and the unique characteristics that a Gemstone Beach jasper can reveal!

There are several types of jasper I’ve found, including brecciated jasper and orbicular jasper. Brecciated jasper stands out with its angular fragments, creating fascinating patterns. It appears to “float” in quartz, which gives it a stunning look.

Orbicular jasper, often called “Poppy Jasper,” is prized for its circular designs, resembling vibrant poppy flowers. It’s one of my favorites, though it’s also one of the hardest to find. When I do come across one, it’s usually small and a bit “banged up,” but it always makes my day!

Poppy jasper
Poppy (orbicular) jasper wet not polished – black is hermatite
B81 SOI
Brecciated jasper from Batch 81
Side 1 Pretumble
Pretumble and part of this batch (84) also. Later removed to redo Stage1. Now added to B89
Jasper Colours

The colours of jasper I’ve discovered in New Zealand are just as captivating. They range from deep reds and earthy browns to vibrant greens and soft yellows. Although I don’t find yellows here, my friend Nicola often discovers and cuts beautiful storm jasper, which showcases a stunning yellow. My good friend and fellow rock tumbler, JP, has shared incredible images of limonite prase jasper, known for its earthy brown hues.

Jasper Mixes

Alongside the jasper, I often find various minerals that enhance its beauty and complexity. Quartz frequently appears, contributing to the stone’s hardness and shine. Iron oxides commonly show up, producing the rich reds, browns, and yellows found in many pieces. Calcite occasionally forms within the jasper, creating interesting contrasts.

Other minerals, such as clay, can also be present, influencing the texture and appearance. Sometimes, trace amounts of silicate minerals like feldspar or mica add subtle variations in colour and lustre.

Batch63 SOI
1. Mudstone with jasper trace fossil markings (from Batch 63)
jasper_mineral_variety
2. A mix of subtle jasper, feldspar, quartz – currently tumbling in this batch
Batch 66 Jaspers
3. The brightest red I’ve found – from Batch 66

Batch 84: 4lb Tumbler 2

Originally 92 stones (collected from #1 fossick with JP, 14 Sept) were tumbled in F60grit for 12 days. Only 69 of those stones were ready to move onto Stage 2. There were a number of stones in the 220grit redo drawer so those were added to the 69 to make up the load for Batch 84. The rest of the 92 stones went into the Stage 1 redo drawer.

Stage 2: 220grit

Number of Stones: 69+19+6+63=157
Weight in: 1858g
4 Tbspns of 220grit
No Borax
Small ceramic media added
Days Tumbling: 11
Weight out: 1618g – loss of 240 grams

Stage 3: 400grit

Number of Stones: 157
Weight in: 1618g
4 Tbspns of 400grit
No Borax
Plastic pellets added
Days Tumbling: 10
Weight out: 1466g – loss of 152 grams

Pre-polish Clean

Number of Stones: 157
2 tspns grated sunlight soap + water + plastic pellets
Days Tumbling: 2

Batch 84: Added to Stage 2

B84 - added
63 stones ready for Stage 2 from the readies drawer. Previously done Stage 1 in 6lbT2 14/9

Batch 84: Also Added Stage 2

B84 Stage 2
From the readies drawer – added to Stage 2. Can you spot the jaspers?

Batch 84: After Stage 3

B84 after Stage3
Just finished 400grit – doing 24hours in a soap tumble then will inspect closely before polish

Ready to Polish

Stage 4: Polish Mix

Number of Stones: 157
Weight in: 1466g
Polish Mix (3rd use): Already mixed.
Plastic Pellets added for cushioning
Days Tumbling: 10

Stage 5: Burnish

2 Tbspns borax + water + plastic pellets
Days Burnishing: 11 (yikes!)

Somehow Batch 84 got “forgotten”. I hadn’t written it up in the notebook diary (which I do sometimes when I get sidetracked or am in a hurry). This batch ended up spending 11 days spinning in borax. It did not make them shine any better than if they had only done three days so at least I know now that three days burnishing is enough!

The stones lost about 3grams in volume (weigh: 1463grams).

Polish Complete
Batch84 polished

Polished Stones of Interest: Batch 84

There were so many interesting stones to choose from in Batch 84. I wouldn’t say it was the best polish finish ever but the general results/shine are pleasing.

B84 SOI
A. So much going on! Quartz & epidote veins
B84 SOI
B. Quartz and epidote veins (they don’t go all the way round)
B84 SOI
C. Poppy jasper!
B84 SOI
D. Not your usual spotted argillite
B84 SOI
E. This one is like the night sky!
B84 SOI
F. Messy veins
B84 SOI
G. Cute small stones with pretty patterns
B84 SOI
H. Lots of jasper variety
B84 SOI
I. Easy to see the band of quartz crystals in this sedimentary stone
B84 SOI
J. Tried to capture everything going on in this stone!
B84 SOI
K. Porphory – thin strips of quartz
B84 SOI
L. Just couldn’t tumble out the fractures in this poppy jasper!
B84 SOI
M. Lots of epidote floating around quartz in the background
B84 SOI
N. Sedimentary stone with delicate quartz crystal banding
B84 SOI
O. Not the greatest polish but that peachy colour!!
B84 SOI
P. Another unusual sedimentary stone with a delicate quartz crystal band
B84 SOI
Q. The #2. stone above – polished. Floating jasper, quartz, flecks of feldspar, epidote
B84 SOI
R. My favourite – banded, looks like wood but it isn’t!

Batch 84 | 4lb Tumbler 2 | Gemstone Beach | 7 September – 2 November 2024

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