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Hand-carved Picasso jasper cabochons from our lapidary workshop, in six formats ranging from 10 mm to 22 mm in round, oval, and freeform shapes.
Material Information
| Mineral |
Commercially "Picasso jasper." Mineralogically, it is a metamorphic marble (recrystallized limestone with manganese dendrites and iron oxides). It is not true jasper (a variety of quartz). |
| Origin |
Utah, USA — the classic deposit for this material |
| Color and Pattern |
Cream background with black, gray, and ochre lines from manganese dendrites; unique pattern on each piece |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Back |
Flat polished back |
| Hardness |
Variable depending on the zone: 3–4 Mohs in the light calcite areas, up to ~7 Mohs in the manganese dendrites. We recommend pendants, earrings, and brooches; for rings, we prefer a closed bezel setting due to the variable hardness. |
| Treatment |
Untreated. The pattern is natural to the original rock. |
| Piece Type |
Available in six formats; each cabochon has a unique, unrepeatable pattern. |
Available Formats
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No. 1 — Round ø16 × 5 mm: compact format, ideal for central pendants or small rings
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No. 2 — Oval 22 × 17 × 5 mm: the most voluminous; sufficient surface to display the pattern in a main pendant
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No. 3 — Elongated Oval 22 × 13 × 4 mm: slender silhouette, especially suitable for earrings
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No. 4 — Small Oval 16 × 10 × 3 mm: medium size for everyday rings, earrings, or combined pieces
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No. 5 — Micro Round ø10 × 2 mm: for micro-pavé, inlays in leather or resin, row bracelets
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No. 6 — Micro Oval 10 × 6 × 3 mm: small pieces for modular compositions and subtle jewelry
What Mountings It Works For
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Closed bezel setting (925 silver or other metals) — the flat back facilitates bezel setting; the variable hardness is compensated by a rim that protects the entire perimeter
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Pendants and earrings — these are the optimal uses for the moderate hardness of the calcite areas; the abstract pattern looks especially good when suspended
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Brooches and decorative applications — exposed surfaces without direct contact with wear, ideal for unique silver pieces
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Rings — preferably with a full bezel setting and medium formats (No. 4) instead of micros, which would be difficult to protect
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Wire wrap — an alternative for those who work with wire wrapping; large formats (No. 1 to No. 3) are the most suitable due to their available surface area
Picasso Jasper: Commercial Name and True Origin
The name "Picasso" does not refer to the painter but to the similarity of its patterns to 20th-century abstract painting.
Geologically, it is limestone metamorphosed under high pressure, with manganese dendrites forming the characteristic black lines and traces of iron oxides contributing the ochre tones.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions.
How to Recognize Genuine Picasso Jasper
Picasso jasper displays an irregular pattern with fine lines that branch like natural dendrites—not like regular brushstrokes—and a cream background with subtle variations in saturation.
Care
The light calcite areas are sensitive to mild acids (juices, vinegar, household cleaning products).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really jasper?
No, mineralogically. It is commercially known as "Picasso jasper," but it is a metamorphic marble with manganese and iron oxide inclusions.
Are the patterns unique in each piece?
Yes. Manganese dendrites form distinct designs in each section of the rock, so two cabochons of the same format will never have the exact same pattern.
Which format should I choose for a main pendant?
No. 2 (22 × 17 mm) offers the largest surface to display the pattern.
Is it suitable for an everyday ring?
With caution. The variable hardness—from 3-4 Mohs in the light areas to ~7 Mohs in the dendrites—makes the calcite areas susceptible to scratching and impact.
Where does the material come from?
Utah, USA, from the classic deposit near Boulder Lake.
See also: all cabochons · handmade pendants · lapidary material.
