Where does Rocky Butte Jasper come from?

Rocky Butte Jasper is mined in Oregon — one of a small group of US-sourced jaspers that includes Biggs Jasper and Owyhee Picture Jasper from the same region. The Oregon deposits produce landscape-patterned and dendritic jaspers with muted earth-tone palettes that designers building US-sourced or Pacific Northwest regional designs reach for specifically. Material is finite and supply is intermittent compared to the high-volume Indian and Madagascan jaspers.

Is Rocky Butte Jasper the same as Rocky Butte Picture Jasper?

Yes — the two names refer to the same material. "Picture jasper" is a descriptive label for landscape-patterned jasper (banding that resembles scenery), and the Rocky Butte deposit produces material with that visual character. Some catalogs use one name, some the other; both refer to the Oregon-mined dendritic and landscape-patterned jasper described on this page.

How is Rocky Butte Jasper different from Red Creek Jasper?

The two varieties occupy similar visual territory — landscape banding and earth-tone palette — but differ in two ways. Saturation: Red Creek runs warmer and more saturated (deeper reds, ochres, yellows), Rocky Butte runs cooler and more muted (grays, browns, tans, with occasional rust and rose). Origin: Red Creek is mined in China, Rocky Butte is mined in Oregon. Designers choosing between them are typically weighing palette register and supply-chain origin.

Is Rocky Butte Jasper natural or treated?

Sold natural. The muted earth-tone palette is intrinsic to the rough; no dye, no stabilization. Treatment status should be disclosed per strand — ask before buying if it isn't specified.

How durable is Rocky Butte Jasper for daily wear?

Mohs 6.5–7 — true jasper, microcrystalline quartz. Durable enough for any jewelry application, including rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Standard care: wipe with a soft cloth and mild soap; no special handling required. Because the material is sold natural, there is no concern about dye fade or treatment leaching with cleaning.

Rocky Butte Jasper Gemstone Beads

Rocky Butte Jasper is mined in Oregon and may have either dendritic or landscape qualities. It may also be called Rocky Butte Picture Jasper. The combination of color and pattern variation are reminiscent of Red Creek Jasper, although the colors are much more muted. Rocky Butte Jasper strands are predominantly shades of gray, brown and tan with some beads or inclusions of rust and rose.

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This is a Dakota Stones 10mm Rocky Butte Gemstone strand with round beads in 15-16 inch strand.

Rocky Butte 10mm Round - 15-16 Inch

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$20.00 - $20.00

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Rocky Butte Jasper is mined in Oregon and may have either dendritic or landscape qualities. It may also be called Rocky Butte Picture Jasper. The c...

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$20.00 - $20.00

$20.00

$20.00
Login for wholesale

$20.00 - $20.00

$20.00
Login for wholesale

About this stone

Color

GrayBrownTanRustRose

Origin

USA (Oregon)

Mohs hardness

6.5–7

Treatment categories

Natural

Industry-standard treatment

Natural — landscape and dendritic patterns are intrinsic; Oregon-sourced

Mineral chemistry

Microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony) with iron oxide and dendritic mineral inclusions producing landscape patterns with rust and rose accents

Crystal system

Trigonal

Stone family

Chalcedony

Common cuts

RoundSmoothFreeform

Common sizes

6mm8mm10mm12mm

Care notes

Durable (Mohs 6.5–7). Standard mild soap and soft cloth.

Related stones

Picture Jasper, Silver Leaf Jasper, Jasper

Frequently asked questions

Where does Rocky Butte Jasper come from?

Rocky Butte Jasper is mined in Oregon — one of a small group of US-sourced jaspers that includes Biggs Jasper and Owyhee Picture Jasper from the same region. The Oregon deposits produce landscape-patterned and dendritic jaspers with muted earth-tone palettes that designers building US-sourced or Pacific Northwest regional designs reach for specifically. Material is finite and supply is intermittent compared to the high-volume Indian and Madagascan jaspers.
Is Rocky Butte Jasper the same as Rocky Butte Picture Jasper?

Yes — the two names refer to the same material. "Picture jasper" is a descriptive label for landscape-patterned jasper (banding that resembles scenery), and the Rocky Butte deposit produces material with that visual character. Some catalogs use one name, some the other; both refer to the Oregon-mined dendritic and landscape-patterned jasper described on this page.
How is Rocky Butte Jasper different from Red Creek Jasper?

The two varieties occupy similar visual territory — landscape banding and earth-tone palette — but differ in two ways. Saturation: Red Creek runs warmer and more saturated (deeper reds, ochres, yellows), Rocky Butte runs cooler and more muted (grays, browns, tans, with occasional rust and rose). Origin: Red Creek is mined in China, Rocky Butte is mined in Oregon. Designers choosing between them are typically weighing palette register and supply-chain origin.
Is Rocky Butte Jasper natural or treated?

Sold natural. The muted earth-tone palette is intrinsic to the rough; no dye, no stabilization. Treatment status should be disclosed per strand — ask before buying if it isn't specified.
How durable is Rocky Butte Jasper for daily wear?

Mohs 6.5–7 — true jasper, microcrystalline quartz. Durable enough for any jewelry application, including rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Standard care: wipe with a soft cloth and mild soap; no special handling required. Because the material is sold natural, there is no concern about dye fade or treatment leaching with cleaning.