Biggs
Jasper
Biggs Jasper
is a rustic looking gemstone that displays several shades of browns from light
to dark almost black, other colors are also found, more on that to follow.
Biggs Jasper is called a “Picture Jasper” because of layered patterns,
sometimes called shell patterns with variations within the patterns. At the end
of the article there are links to publications and rockhounding guides. (
Credit and Thanks to” Molly Stevens Wahr,s” Face book post on our Radical Rocks
Facebook Group and her Biggs jasper Cabochons displaying beautiful seins )
Discovery the Biggs jasper was discovered
about 1960 near the Biggs Junction, in Oregon. The first samples were collected
from the creek near Biggs junction. Sometime later between 1964 & 1966 road
cuts were made for Route 97 and interstate 84 due in part to a flood were more
deposits were located starting a small supply flow of Biggs Jasper to market by
the roadcrews & other collectors that were selling to rock shops that were
purchasing at that time. The deposits were found in basalt deposits of the
American pacific Northwest. Of course, many collectors have gone out to fill
their buckets. Biggs Jasper is a desirable gemstone and continues to be in high
demand among collector today. A great article on this history can be found on
the links at the bottom of the page.
Geology To my surprise The Pacific Ring of
fire geologically includes Sherman County Oregon, that contributed to the environment,
materials and conditions needed to form Biggs Jasper. Two large flows of basalt
lava once covered areas from Oregon, Washington and into parts of Idaho in
between these two flows Biggs Jasper was formed over many years and several
flows. In between these flows the earth would heal plants and life would again
take over again and again and the volcanic ash would decompose and form a clay
that was moved by rain, streams, lakes on top of the basalt, silica and some
iron made its way to be mixed, forming a plastic colloid. A colloid is were particles
are phased in bit by bit over time, and this is basically part of the process
that helped form patterns and lines that are associated with Biggs Jasper. Also,
the next supper heated flows with its superheated steam and the great pressure
changes also plays a roll in the wavy patterns and fluctuating patterns that
are seen in Biggs Jasper, as well as marbled, or rosette like picture designs
so well loved that we see in Biggs Jasper.
Some of the residuals that did not form Biggs Jasper near the end of a
deposit display a white clay called “wascoite” based on the town of Wasco
Orgon, also a dark gray to near translucent Cert is found as well and this is
also a residual of this mix that became the growing media for our Biggs Jasper.
So, to Biggs jasper is of sedimentary origin and is relatively rare.
Properties Mohs hardness o 6.5 to 7. Chemical SiO2-
Silicon Dioxide. Crystal Structure, Trigonal-microcrystalline aggregate.
Refractive index, about 1.54, it is Opaque
Colors, The many shades of browns from light tan
to dark chocolate to almost black. Sometimes color combinations including
pastel shades of blue, gray, reddish to rosy, yellows. And light to dark shades
of pale green can be found. These pleasing colors include patterns of curls,
arcs, swirls, scallops and bands, that often resemble a landscape of mountains
or desert or trees, seins with sunsets sometimes occur, yes it truly lives up
to the term picture jasper.
Locations
& Types Specific
locations of Picture jaspers besides Biggs within the areas of this discussion
shall be noted as follows. Owyhee Picture Jasper is found in the mountains on
the border of Idaho and Organ in the Owyhee Mountains, these are noted for the
colors of browns and blue. Also popular in this area is the Bruneau and Willow
Creek Jaspers that bear the location namesake. Picture Jaspers are found also
in Nevada and other country’s such as India, Rusha, Australia and a popular
Royal Sahara Jasper from Egypt
Locating, I’m not sure on the status, but
local gem and mineral clubs are always your best bet. Some pay to dig sites
popped up on my internet search but nothing unto date. Claims are in the area,
but no one is advertising. The creeks and roadside cuts are said to have a few
pieces here and there. Here is the MinDat link if you wish to search further https://www.mindat.org/loc-27363.html. The gemstone can be purchased more
reasonably at rock and gem shows were boots on the ground rockhounds and clubs
put on the gem shows. Then there is eBay and other online opportunities as
well. Here is a site with information and photos of road cuts were Biggs Jasper
may be found. https://www.wirejewelry.com/jewelry-making-blog/5732/gem-profile-picture-jasper/
Why is
Biggs so Popular? The
Biggs jasper and even more sought-after blue Biggs jasper is a fine gemstone
that can display a sun set or a mountain view and other unique seans. When
these are of fine quality and a special design or sean is framed well in the
stone as a cabochon or polished display specimen the value can be a couple of
hundred dollars for one cabochon or several hundred dollars for a beautiful
display piece.
Lapidary Is straight forward common cutting
and grinding ( see our blogs on saws, and on grinding) The only added advice is
to look for the pictures and cut the stones to maximize the best pictures as
this is pleasing to the eye and will add great value to your Cabochons or
polished display pieces. Some samples my prove to be to beautiful of a picture
to sacrifice for the sake of a cabochon.
Guides to
Rockhounding your own Biggs & other picture Jaspers
“Remember
Rockhounds don’t Die They petrify”
Join me on the
Radical Rocks Podcast, our Blog or social media below, also
see our affiliate links below that help support our mission to keep
Rockhounding and lapidary arts alive and thriving. Feel free to contact me
with any suggestions on this blog or any other ideas you may have. If you would
like to sponsor in some way, or have your club, book, or mine, spotlighted in
Radical Rocks, Blog, Podcast or Video’s feel free to contact Shane with Radical
Rocks
MeWe, better than Facebook; https://mewe.com/join/radicalrocks
Articles
of interest
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comment. I will review content for spam and such.