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jasper - ubiquitous stone of antiquity
Jasper's chemical impurities are what cause it to be found in a myriad of colors -- the most common being yellows and reds to brownish reds; it also comes with bands and patterns. And, as a chalcedony, it takes well to dye.
Red jasper gets its color from the hematite already in the veins and slabs of the quartz in which it forms.
A favorite ornamental stone, jaspers are often carved into vases and other objects.
 variety is the spice of life...

various jaspers
photo: west coast mining

Jasper is so common that it can be found just about anywhere in the world.
Although jasper is usually considered to be an opaque form of chalcedony (microcrystalline quartz), sometimes scientists put it in a group by itself within the quartz group because of its grainy structure.
There are many varieties of jasper on the market today. Just a few of these are ocean jasper, silver-leaf jasper, poppy jasper, yellow or red jasper, leopard jasper, picture jasper, elephant jasper, dalmation jasper, frogskin jasper, imperial jasper, moss jasper and picasso jasper.

symbolic attributes

geographic
state stone Missouri
metaphysical
astrological gem Virgo, Leo
planetary stone Aires
energy projective / yang (green)
planet Mars (green)
element fire (green), air (yellow)