Jasper

Jasper is an opaque, impure variety of Quartz and is found in a variety of colors. Patterns can arise from the formation process and from flow patterns in the sediment or volcanic ash that was saturated with silica to form Jasper, yielding bands or swirls in the rock. Because of its widespread occurrence and the many variations of its appearance, Jasper has been given many names. Certain Jasper can be dyed to simulate Malachite, Sugilite, or Turquoise.