Until I began making jewelry, I had never heard of Ocean Jasper - never seen it, never seen anyone wearing it, did not know it existed. I don't even remember how I stumbled upon it. All I know is that somewhere along my bead buying frenzy in the beginning of my jewelry making obsession, I picked some up. And I looked into it...I imagine my pupils must have begun to spiral like in cartoons when someone is hypnotized.
In case you don't know, Ocean Jasper is an amazing stone. Mined off the northern coast of Madagascar, it is comprised of layers of different naturally occurring colors, speckled with bulls-eye orbs in contrasting colors, with druzy veins and cavities of geode crystals. Some of the orbs have rings coming off them that seem to take on the shapes of flower petals, while others just lay alone in stark contrast to its background. Some is translucent, some opaque, and some both. Each one is so different.
And the colors...Peach, pink, mauve, aqua, green, mustard, red, white, steel blue, gray....it goes on forever
Some are very bold, and others are very subdued, all are unique
But what to do with it? The stones pictured are only a few of my current stash. I have looked at the jewelry that others have made from Ocean Jasper and find myself a bit disappointed. It is so often framed in silver in odd shapes and assembled in such a way that it looks outdated, if that is possible.
I think that it should be focal. Front and center. I love it lightly wire wrapped and hung on a delicate chain. It looks great layered with other necklaces or worn alone. Pictures do not do it justice. The intricacies and depth just cannot be captured. You will have to see some for yourself.
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