The facts
What biggs Jasper actually is
Mineralogically, biggs Jasper is jasper (silicified volcanic ash) — SiO₂ with iron oxide, crystallising in the cryptocrystalline aggregate system.
The colour is caused by iron oxides in graded ash layers give the tan, blue-grey and brown landscape banding. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.53–1.54 (spot), and the specific gravity sits near 2.55–2.70; cleavage is none.
Where biggs Jasper comes from
The recognised sources are Biggs Junction, Sherman County, Oregon, USA.
That is the whole list. A single source makes supply fragile and makes any claim of a second origin worth questioning.
How biggs Jasper is treated
Untreated. Exposed by a 1964 flood and road cut, and the deposit is effectively worked out — material in circulation is old stock. Verify provenance before paying Biggs prices.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What biggs Jasper is confused with
The usual confusions are Deschutes jasper, Owyhee picture jasper, Picture jasper and Wonderstone.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.53–1.54 (spot) and specific gravity 2.55–2.70 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What biggs Jasper is used for
Biggs Jasper is bought by jewellery, mineral collecting, decorative objects and architecture and interiors — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the specimen or by the piece.
Durability and care
Biggs Jasper is 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, with none cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What biggs Jasper costs
Indicative pricing for biggs Jasper is Rough 60–300 USD/kg; scenic cabochons 40–250 USD.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is biggs Jasper treated, and how?
Untreated. Exposed by a 1964 flood and road cut, and the deposit is effectively worked out — material in circulation is old stock. Verify provenance before paying Biggs prices.
Where does biggs Jasper come from?
Biggs Junction, Sherman County, Oregon, USA. That is the only commercial source.
Is biggs Jasper hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does biggs Jasper cost?
Indicatively Rough 60–300 USD/kg; scenic cabochons 40–250 USD. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is biggs Jasper confused with?
Most often Deschutes jasper, Owyhee picture jasper, Picture jasper and Wonderstone. A refractive index of 1.53–1.54 (spot) and a specific gravity near 2.55–2.70 separate it quickly.
What is biggs Jasper used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting, decorative objects and architecture and interiors. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for biggs jasper?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about biggs jasper