Ocean Jasper

OCEAN JASPER
** Ocean Jasper is a very rare stone, mined in one place in the world. It is found off the coast of the remote area of Marovato, Madagascar, and the deposit is so close to the ocean that it can only be mined at low tide.** Ocean Jasper is known for its beautiful orbicular designs. (These show a little in our chip beads, but the patterns are best seen in large cabochons and spheres.) The patterns are spherical inclusions floating in solid jasper, and the little circles are often heavily banded in many colors. The deposit is a massive Rhyolite (a volcanic stone) flow that was silicified: as the hot liquid magma cooled, the silica precipitated out of the magma, forming small balls.** Ocean Jasper got its name both from its proximity to the ocean, and also because the patterns look like foaming bubbles. ** Ocean Jasper is mined by local Malagasy natives, who gather it at low tide, take it ashore, then place it in a boat to be taken to the nearest area with a road, as Marovato is very remote and has no access other than by boat.** This is a very new stone, discovered a few years ago after a very long search. Long ago, a local fisherman told of the beautiful rock formation he had seen on the beach, and people have been looking for it ever since. Its discovery at the turn of the millennium, as well as the fact that it is found under the ocean, have caused people to nickname it the "Atlantis Stone."** Ocean Jasper is also known as Orbicular Jasper and "Moon Jewel Jasper," even though it is technically an agate! Madagascar natives call it "Snake Agate."** Crystal healers use Ocean Jasper to promote patience and help in meditation. It helps to bring peace of mind. The circular patterns suggest that all of nature is interconnected, and that nature is cyclical.** Physically, Ocean Jasper is said to aid in problems of digestion, and to help remove toxins from the body