Let’s Talk about the #Geology of #Ocean #Jasper – #crystals #geologyrocks #science

Let’s Talk about the #Geology of #Ocean #Jasper – #crystals #geologyrocks #science

Let’s Talk about the #Geology of #Ocean #Jasper !

#Oceanjasper is a Trademarked name, it is a variety of orbicular jasper. Most ocean jaspers have agate present in the form of translucent variety of chalcedony. Ocean Jasper comes from Madagascar where it gets its name from the beach location where it is found. This is one of the stones that is difficult to obtain since its location is found in a narrow gap at the base of a cliff, which can only be accessed by boat and taken out at low tide.

Like other jaspers, the rock is characterized by the presence of spherical aggregates a few mm in diameter (normally 1 to 3) that are called spherulites or orbs. These microstructures formed during the alteration of former tuffs or rhyolites, accompanied by extensive deposition of SiO2 (silicification).

Ocean Jasper has a silicate composition like other jaspers, and its spherical aggregates are formed from the process of alteration and silicification of volcanic tuff and rhyolite flows. Ocean Jasper occurs as nodules and lenses when colloidal suspensions lose their water and solidify into masses of microcrystalline quartz. It forms as a rhyolitic igneous rock that is rich in silica. As the lava cools, the silica is precipitated out of the magma and forms spherical ball shapes inside the crystal.

​​On Mohs scale of mineral hardness Ocean Jasper grades as a 6.5 to 7.

Ocean Jasper only comes from one place in the world, northwestern Madagascar. It is found in the Analalava district of the Sofia region in the former province of Mahajanga.

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https://newmoonbeginnings.com/ocean-jasper-meaning/