Large Colourful Jasper Cabochons

Two beautifully polished noreena jasper cabochons with exceptional colour.

Cut for Stone Mania from the same piece of rock, noreena jasper comes from the Pilbara region in the north of Western Australia.  This part of the country is known for its red earth, vast mineral deposits and abundance of iron ore.

The deep shades of red in this jasper stone are caused by the presence of iron most likely in the form of hematite.  The yellowish brown colour is likely to be from impurities of goethite (ger~tite).

These highly polished noreena jasper stones have a vitreous lustre.  Stones with this type of lustre reflect light in a similar way to glass.

The bottom of each stone has an incredibly smooth texture but the lustre is dull.  This means it doesn't reflect light.