I love jasper with its amazingly never-ending variety of colours and patterns. The wee grey gemstones in these earrings are indeed jasper but – spoiler alert- bumblebee jasper with its amazing combination of yellows, oranges and moody greys, is not jasper at all!

Bumblebee Jasper is mined from the side of a volcano in Indonesia and is a relative newcomer to the gemstone scene having been first discovered in Java during the 1990s. It is known there as ‘batu badar belerang‘ which roughly translates to ‘coal becoming sulphur’.  And indeed those amazing colours do come from its sulphur and arsenic content—although its name of course refers more to its resemblance to the colour of bees.

The sulphur and arsenic content has caused some debate in the jewellery world. Certainly in its raw state it should always be handled with caution. Once the porous rock is cut and polished, many specimens are fissure filled to help stabilize the rock (a common practice in the trade).

Finished with gold coloured silver plated wire and gold plated ear wires.  Drop length 5cm. These come to you wrapped in tissue in a pretty organza bag, along with information about the gemstone and tips on caring for your gemstone jewellery.