Category:Jasper

Jas"per, n. Etym: [OE. jaspre, jaspe, OF. jaspre, jaspe, F. jaspe, L. iaspis, Gr. yashp, yashf, Ar.yashb, yasb, yasf, Heb. yashpheh. Cf. Diaper.] (Min.)

Defn: An opaque, impure variety of quartz, of red, yellow, and other dull colors, breaking with a smooth surface. It admits of a high polish, and is used for vases, seals, snuff boxes, etc. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped or banded jasper. The Egyptian pebble is a brownish yellow jasper. Jasper opal, a yellow variety of opal resembling jasper. -- Jasper ware, a delicate kind of earthenware invented by Josiah Wedgwood. It is usually white, but is capable of receiving color.

-

---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Jasper - (Heb. yashpheh, "glittering"), a gem of various colors, one of the twelve inserted in the high priest's breast-plate (Exodus 28:20). It is named in the building of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:18, Revelation 21:19). It was "most precious," "clear as crystal" (Revelation 21:11). It was emblematic of the glory of God (Revelation 4:3).