Frequently asked questions

• Is Ocean Jasper actually a jasper?

  Mineralogically, no — Ocean Jasper is a silicified rhyolite, a volcanic rock that picked up enough silica during formation to develop the orbicular concentric-ring patterns it's known for. Because it's silica-rich and takes a high polish, the bead trade has always sold it under the jasper name, and that's the name designers know. You'll see it classified as either rhyolite (by geological origin) or chalcedony (by silica content), depending on the source. Hardness lands at 6.5–7, comparable to true jaspers and chalcedonies, so durability and working behavior are similar even if the classification isn't.
• Where does Ocean Jasper come from, and does origin matter?

  Ocean Jasper comes from a small stretch of coastline in northwest Madagascar near Marovato. The original pocket was discovered in the 1950s, rediscovered commercially in 2000, and the most-cited vein was declared depleted in 2006 — though new pockets have been worked since. Because the deposit is geographically narrow and tide-dependent to mine, supply is uneven and color/pattern character shifts batch to batch. There's no other commercial source on the market, so any strand labeled Ocean Jasper traces back to that region.
• How do I tell Ocean Jasper apart from Kambaba Jasper or plain rhyolite?

  All three are volcanic-origin stones with orb or pattern structures, which is why they get confused. Ocean Jasper shows multicolored concentric orbs — white, cream, pink, green, yellow — on a varied background, and the orbs are usually crisp and well-defined. Kambaba Jasper (also called Crocodile Jasper) is consistently dark green to black with smaller, tighter dark orbs and comes from a different Madagascar deposit. Plain rhyolite shows flow banding and mottled inclusions rather than discrete circular orbs, and the palette is typically earthier. When in doubt, the orb clarity and color range are the giveaways for Ocean Jasper.
• What kinds of jewelry does Ocean Jasper work well in?

  The pattern is the design feature, so Ocean Jasper rewards cuts and sizes that let the orbs read. Larger rounds (10–12mm), free-form nuggets, teardrops, ovals, and cabochons all showcase the orbicular character — small 4–6mm rounds tend to lose the pattern. It pairs well with warm metals (brass, bronze, gold-fill) that pick up the cream and ochre tones, and with solid-color accent beads (matte black onyx, smoky quartz, pearl) that let the pattern breathe. For statement necklaces, bracelets, and earring drops it carries the piece on its own; as an accent in beaded mixes, scale it up so the orbs aren't lost.
• How should finished Ocean Jasper pieces be cared for?

  At Mohs 6.5–7, Ocean Jasper is durable enough for daily-wear bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, and holds up reasonably in rings if the setting protects the stone. Clean with mild soap, warm water, and a soft cloth; avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners since the rock is heterogeneous and can contain microfractures along orb boundaries. Keep it away from prolonged solvent exposure, household chlorine, and high heat. Most Ocean Jasper on the market is untreated — just cut and polished — but if a strand has been stabilized or sealed.