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Morrisonite Jasper
Morrisonite Jasper is silicate (porcelain jasper), SiO2 with iron and clay mineral impurities. In the hand, it rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, and it runs sea green and blue-gray. Complex flowing compositions of orbs, ribbons, and pools in greens, blues, golds, and maroons with flawless porcelain polish, the most painterly of the Owyhee jaspers.
The geology.
Morrisonite Jasper carries the formula SiO2 with iron and clay mineral impurities. It belongs to the trigonal (cryptocrystalline) system. Catalogues list it as silicate (porcelain jasper).
It sits at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads vitreous, porcelain-like on polish. Light behaviour is opaque. Specific gravity runs 2.58 to 2.91. The streak is white. It breaks with conchoidal fracture.
Complex flowing compositions of orbs, ribbons, and pools in greens, blues, golds, and maroons with flawless porcelain polish, the most painterly of the Owyhee jaspers.
It reaches buyers as cabochons, polished slabs or collector rough.
The origins.
Cliffs above the Owyhee River near the old Morrison ranch, Malheur County, Oregon, USA.
On value, the database notes: premium; top old-stock Morrisonite is among the most expensive jasper in the world.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, associated with creative vision and weaving many threads into one picture.
We keep this section because people ask. It sits below the geology on purpose, and none of it describes something the stone does.
Spotting the real thing.
Complex flowing compositions of orbs, ribbons, and pools in greens, blues, golds, and maroons with flawless porcelain polish, the most painterly of the Owyhee jaspers.
Name misuse is common on pretty multicolor jaspers; documented Owyhee provenance matters to the price.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Bruneau jasper | Bruneau sticks to brown-cream concentric orbs; Morrisonite throws the whole palette in swirling scenes |
| Willow Creek jasper | Willow Creek is quiet pastel; Morrisonite is saturated and complex |
| Imperial jasper | Imperial eggs are uniform small orbs; Morrisonite mixes orbs with flow ribbons and color pooling |
At-home tests.
Before anyone talks you into a lab report, these are the checks worth doing yourself on morrisonite jasper.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| Scratch check | Scratches glass (Mohs 6.5 to 7) |
| By eye | Porcelain-smooth mirror polish |
| Look for bubbles | Multi-color flow patterns unique piece to piece |
Anything that scratches, burns or dissolves the piece is a lab job. Get it appraised rather than testing it apart.
Care & handling.
At 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale it handles careful wear but scratches against quartz and dust. Store it separately and take rings off before rough work.
It breaks with conchoidal fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Warm water and a soft cloth clean almost everything. Ultrasonic tanks, steamers and household cleaners are where pieces get ruined.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is SiO2 with iron and clay mineral impurities. Crystal system: Trigonal (cryptocrystalline). Specific gravity: 2.58 to 2.91. Streak: White. Cleavage and fracture: Conchoidal fracture.
How it reaches the market
Cliffs above the Owyhee River near the old Morrison ranch, Malheur County, Oregon, USA.
What it gets confused with
Bruneau jasper: Bruneau sticks to brown-cream concentric orbs; Morrisonite throws the whole palette in swirling scenes. Willow Creek jasper: Willow Creek is quiet pastel; Morrisonite is saturated and complex. Imperial jasper: Imperial eggs are uniform small orbs; Morrisonite mixes orbs with flow ribbons and color pooling.
What it is worth
Premium; top old-stock Morrisonite is among the most expensive jasper in the world.
Where buyers get caught
Name misuse is common on pretty multicolor jaspers; documented Owyhee provenance matters to the price.
One more thing
Cutters call Morrisonite the 'king of jaspers'; the claims cling to a canyon wall so steep that miners once lowered themselves and their rough out on ropes.
An education-first guide.
No product links here. We do not sell morrisonite jasper, and a guide that only covers our own shelves would not be much of a guide.
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