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Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums _ Gem and Mineral Specimen Finds or Processes _ Colorado Jasper

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Oct 18 2008, 02:07 PM

Historically Colorado jasper was used exstensively by the native american indians as knapping material.
Found in a wide variety of colors around the state.

Recent finds from Park county Colorado
Nice piece with vibrant color! happy088.gif


Red and yellow pieces.

Posted by: russau Oct 20 2008, 05:17 AM

i went to a spot last year and picked up two 5 gallon buckets full of red jasper and red banded jasper in about 1 hour. i had some jewlery made out of a peice. my wife really likes it. wants more!!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 22 2008, 06:44 AM

Jasper is fun stuff, thats for sure. Im working on knaping a few pieces into looking like fall colored leaves.
We also have a batch in the tumbler right now...Just a few days to go until done. bop.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jun 5 2009, 08:22 AM

Lots of people think of http://www.jaspercolorado.com/index.html when mentioning Colorados Jasper,
so I thought I would put a link in to their website. What an amazingly beautiful place tucked away here in Colorado! happy088.gif






Posted by: nm jack Jun 5 2009, 03:05 PM

happy088.gif Looks like a real pretty spot. Any Jasper there?? stirthepot.gif

Posted by: Mrs.CP Jun 6 2009, 07:43 AM

Im not sure, the township was bought by a developer and all private.
Lots of forest service land in the surrounding area though.
biggrin.gif

Posted by: Phil(NM) Aug 27 2009, 03:40 PM

QUOTE (ColoradoProspector @ Oct 18 2008, 01:07 PM) *
Historically Colorado jasper was used exstensively by the native american indians as knapping material.
Found in a wide variety of colors around the state.

Recent finds from Park county Colorado
Nice piece with vibrant color! happy088.gif


Red and yellow pieces.


OOoooooooo. I'm so jealous! Wish I could find Jasper like that here for knapping... Any chance you'd tell me off forum where you collected all that? A couple buckets would probably be worth it to me to drive up from Albuquerque. Does it need heat treatment at all for knapping?

Thanks,
Phil

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Aug 29 2009, 12:06 PM

That particular batch was from southwestern park county off of trout creek pass a ways. There are some private parcels out that way as well as a state owned wilderness area so watch where you trek as you want to make sure you are still on the FS land. Really nice scenery in that area too! char098.gif

Not sure on the heat treatment as I've not done any knapping. As I understand from reading, the heating was used to make larger pieces flake into desirable preforms? You may find some that are large enough to need that but most of what's pictured is small already.
It sure looks like it would do very nicely for knapping and it takes a nice polish in the tumbler, good and solid.

CP

Posted by: Mrs.CP Aug 30 2009, 06:28 AM

Colorado has some fantastic Jasper. happy088.gif
Here is a small piece I found the other day in Mineral county.


Posted by: Phil(NM) Aug 30 2009, 03:20 PM

QUOTE (ColoradoProspector @ Aug 29 2009, 11:06 AM) *
That particular batch was from southwestern park county off of trout creek pass a ways. There are some private parcels out that way as well as a state owned wilderness area so watch where you trek as you want to make sure you are still on the FS land. Really nice scenery in that area too! char098.gif


Thanks. That kinda leave it a little too vague to drive hundreds of miles to try and collect.. If you ever decide to share a little more specific details, you can always email me off-forum if you don't want the world to know (totally understandable)


QUOTE (ColoradoProspector @ Aug 29 2009, 11:06 AM) *
Not sure on the heat treatment as I've not done any knapping. As I understand from reading, the heating was used to make larger pieces flake into desirable preforms? You may find some that are large enough to need that but most of what's pictured is small already.
It sure looks like it would do very nicely for knapping and it takes a nice polish in the tumbler, good and solid.
CP


Some or maybe most jaspers need the heating to make the material more lithic and thus knappable. Not all jasper is knappable even if heated. That is pretty stuf and would make for some really nice points, even if they are small "bird" points (A misnomer if ever there was one).

Thanks again,
Phil

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Sep 3 2009, 09:38 AM

QUOTE (Phil(NM) @ Aug 30 2009, 03:20 PM) *
Thanks. That kinda leave it a little too vague to drive hundreds of miles to try and collect.. If you ever decide to share a little more specific details, you can always email me off-forum if you don't want the world to know (totally understandable)


Actually we have been doing some research in this area and when final details are completed, it will be added as one of the new club members researched prospecting areas with all the specifics. happy088.gif I bet there are quite a few club members who might want to cab some of this stuff too. smile.gif

CP

Posted by: Gold_Barnstormer Sep 6 2009, 05:54 PM

Hello Mr. and Mrs. CP. I'm a recent member of the prospector's club. I joined with Swizz. Gold was our passion but it has switched to rockhounding for me. I have many questions regarding this topic but for now I'd like to know about jasper. Can you tell me when someone considers a rock jasper or chert? I've collected many rocks that I thought were jasper but I've been told they were chert. And what about flint? All I see listed for Colorado is Jasper, not chert and not flint. Is there a difference in the eye of the collector, gem maker, slab specimen, etc. Thanks so much for your help, especially with newbie questions.
G_B

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Sep 7 2009, 10:32 AM

Hi GB and welcome, make yourself right at home in the forums. We are all very glad to have you aboard. happy088.gif
Firstly, I can not be held responsible for the worsening "rock fever" you will be enduring from now on.
biggrin.gif All I can say is, start collecting up buckets now, you'll need a head start.

Q's will keep coming up too and we all love em', keep em' coming.
We have a thread going that has some great info on the cherts and flints in the quartz sub varieties. That thread is titled http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2088 in the prospectors discussions section.
Basically chert and flint are both rocks (not minerals) and they are catagorized in the quartz family sub varieties. Flint is described as granular cryptocrystalline variety of quartz and chert also a cryptocrystalline variety.
There are both found in similar situations to form but slightly different environments (still trying to figure that part out myself) wacko.gif sedimentary formations such as limestone, chalk, and rhyolites can host them. Both chert and flint are opaque too where as chalcedonys and agates will be translucent.

Flint is generally viewed as darker colored and chert being lighter in color.....usually, but not always. spock.gif Chert also is known to have alot of fossils from algea, bacteria and micro organisms.

Now, jasper also being a sub of quartz is described as a dense, opaque, microcrystalline variety of quartz, usually red, brown or yellow.

Whew, there is alot of info on these. smile.gif You can check out more on this from http://www.mindat.org/min-3337.html, scroll down to varieties to find links to jasper, chert, and flint. Awesome database Mindat has, just great for learning the details of stuff like this. signs021.gif

Lets see some pics of all the cool stuff soon too. happy088.gif
Hope we didn't make the "rock fever" too much worse today.
excited.gif

CP

Posted by: Gold_Barnstormer Sep 7 2009, 03:22 PM

QUOTE (ColoradoProspector @ Sep 7 2009, 11:32 AM) *
Hi GB and welcome, make yourself right at home in the forums. We are all very glad to have you aboard. happy088.gif
Firstly, I can not be held responsible for the worsening "rock fever" you will be enduring from now on.
biggrin.gif All I can say is, start collecting up buckets now, you'll need a head start.

Q's will keep coming up too and we all love em', keep em' coming.
We have a thread going that has some great info on the cherts and flints in the quartz sub varieties. That thread is titled http://www.coloradoprospector.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2088 in the prospectors discussions section.
Basically chert and flint are both rocks (not minerals) and they are catagorized in the quartz family sub varieties. Flint is described as granular cryptocrystalline variety of quartz and chert also a cryptocrystalline variety.
There are both found in similar situations to form but slightly different environments (still trying to figure that part out myself) wacko.gif sedimentary formations such as limestone, chalk, and rhyolites can host them. Both chert and flint are opaque too where as chalcedonys and agates will be translucent.

Chert generally veiwed as darker colored and flint being lighter in color.....usually, but not always. spock.gif Chert also is known to have alot of fossils from algea, bacteria and micro organisms.

Now, jasper also being a sub of quartz is described as a dense, opaque, microcrystalline variety of quartz, usually red, brown or yellow.

Whew, there is alot of info on these. smile.gif You can check out more on this from http://www.mindat.org/min-3337.html, scroll down to varieties to find links to jasper, chert, and flint. Awesome database Mindat has, just great for learning the details of stuff like this. signs021.gif

Lets see some pics of all the cool stuff soon too. happy088.gif
Hope we didn't make the "rock fever" too much worse today.
excited.gif

CP

Here are some specimens I found in my neck of the woods......Jasper?
G_B



Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 8 2009, 06:18 AM

Fantastic pieces GB! happy088.gif

I found a piece just the other day that looked like the little black one in your last pic.
Im thinking that one is a flint because of its color, but Im learning too.
biggrin.gif

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Good luck out there, and stay safe!

Posted by: Mrs.CP Sep 8 2009, 01:15 PM

I edited your post Dan because you had chert as the darker rock, and flint as the lighter rock.
Flint is generally viewed as darker colored and chert being lighter in color. wink.gif

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Sep 9 2009, 09:24 AM

Woops, that'll teach me to have 6 or 8 pages open all at once. smiley-laughing021.gif pcwhack.gif Told her I needed to be supervised. laught16.gif

Thank you dear, I get cornfused sometimes. wacko.gif


Very nice finds GB, good eye! happy088.gif Those look like they will cut some really nice cabs I'm bettin'.

CP

Posted by: Gold_Barnstormer Sep 30 2009, 05:35 PM

QUOTE (Gold_Barnstormer @ Sep 7 2009, 04:22 PM) *
Here are some specimens I found in my neck of the woods......Jasper?
G_B



smileywaving.gif Not the best pic...These cabs are from the red,yellow,black(actually green) jasper from this earlier pic. The middle cab is ground and polished 3 dimensionally, although it's not perfectly round. Measures just shy of 2" long x .75" x .5" thick. All stones done by hand, no dop stick. I can't thank you enuff with your help in getting me started. I cannot and will not stop. groucho.gif

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Oct 1 2009, 05:36 AM

Cool GB, those took a nice polish.
Neat color too. Not stoppin and no doppin'?! biggrin.gif Careful of the fingers, they don't like the rough wheel! smiley-shocked003.gif

Good work GB, keep it up, we want to see more too.

CP

Posted by: swizz Oct 1 2009, 07:31 AM

Nice ones Jeff! happy088.gif

Posted by: Gold_Barnstormer Oct 1 2009, 07:38 AM

The fingers got some nice bleedin' in the first couple of days. Just needed more practice, but I always felt I had quick and nimble enuff fingers to get the job done dop free. It's also more fun. Cab1 was done on my 6th day of lap work, cab3 day 7 and the middle cab done yesterday, my eighth day total. Can't wait to do more. Perhaps in my cold garage today under the snow.
G_B

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Oct 2 2009, 05:37 AM

Blood costs extra smiley-shocked003.gif , hopefully not too much meat's been sacraficed so far. smiley-laughing021.gif
Sure is fun though isn't it Jeff? More jasper next or? that is if it's not too cold with the snow today.

CP

Posted by: Mrs.CP Oct 3 2009, 02:03 PM

Good job Jeff!! Fantastic work, especially for your first time and using your fingers. I have to admit, I too prefer using my fingers, especially when making guitar picks. I slipped off the wheel one time slicing my finger right open on the edge of the wheel smiley-shocked003.gif , so be very careful! Keep up the good work, Im looking forward to seeing more made by you.
smile.gif

Posted by: ColoradoProspector Nov 2 2009, 10:32 AM

Here are a few jasper samples found at one of the new researched areas for club members.
happy088.gif
Haven't cut any yet but sure has some nice color and that agate nodule is just funky lookin'. spock.gif


Posted by: MikeS Jun 24 2015, 05:02 PM

Last Sunday I took a short trip to Weld County looking for the elusive Blue Barite. I didn't find any Barite but I did find some Jasper/Chert/Agate. Dave found a few rattlesnakes too. smiley-shocked003.gif


















Posted by: fenixsmom Jun 25 2015, 07:39 AM

Wow! Those pieces have personality!

Posted by: Crusty Jun 25 2015, 08:24 AM

Some cool pieces! I've got a bunch I got in NM that tumbled nicely.

Posted by: Chase Jun 25 2015, 10:28 AM

I live in Fairplay Colo I went out yesterday to find the source of Trout Creek Chert, Some years back I ran across a deposit, but it was not of any quality. Could someone direct me to where some higher quality specimens.

Posted by: MikeS Jun 25 2015, 03:52 PM

QUOTE (Chase @ Jun 25 2015, 11:28 AM) *
I live in Fairplay Colo I went out yesterday to find the source of Trout Creek Chert, Some years back I ran across a deposit, but it was not of any quality. Could someone direct me to where some higher quality specimens.


Hello Chase! Welcome to the forums! sign0016.gif

It sounds like you are in a good spot to look. Some of the Jasper shown in this topic was found in that area. You may need to put in a little more search time to find the quality you are looking for.

Posted by: Crusty Jun 25 2015, 03:54 PM

QUOTE (Chase @ Jun 25 2015, 10:28 AM) *
I live in Fairplay Colo I went out yesterday to find the source of Trout Creek Chert, Some years back I ran across a deposit, but it was not of any quality. Could someone direct me to where some higher quality specimens.


Not familiar with that neck of the woods, but welcome to the forum!


Posted by: Dave S. Jun 25 2015, 06:12 PM

Welcome to the forums Chase!

My older brother has searched that area too for the chert. From what I understand, the source of the chert is elusive, and has not been documented / discovered.



Here is some pics of a carnelian/jasper that I think has replaced wood (petrified wood).









Posted by: Chase Jun 25 2015, 07:01 PM

QUOTE (Dave S. @ Jun 25 2015, 07:12 PM) *
Welcome to the forums Chase!

My older brother has searched that area too for the chert. From what I understand, the source of the chert is elusive, and has not been documented / discovered.



Here is some pics of a carnelian/jasper that I think has replaced wood (petrified wood).





Thanks for the info! I know of two quarry sites but both are of low grade. I have a few flint knappers that want to try out the lithic. I was just wanting to help them out. I have artifacts and have flakes, of quality. The color variations makes it unique. Here is some pic's of the colors.







 

 

Posted by: MikeS Jun 26 2015, 04:17 PM

QUOTE (Chase @ Jun 25 2015, 08:01 PM) *
Thanks for the info! I know of two quarry sites but both are of low grade. I have a few flint knappers that want to try out the lithic. I was just wanting to help them out. I have artifacts and have flakes, of quality. The color variations makes it unique. Here is some pic's of the colors.


Nice pics Chase! The last 4 pics of Jasper I posted surely have evidence of being worked. I have some basic flint knapping skills. I have become good at testing chunks of material to see if a good blank could be made from it. I tried my hand at fluting and pressure flaking with limited success.

Posted by: saguache Apr 19 2017, 09:51 AM



New to the forum so I thought I'd post some Colorado Jasper I've collected on my property here in the San Luis Valley. Our farm sets on "the Old Spanish Trail" which was an indian trail heading up the west side of the valley way before the Spanish arrived. There is evidence of numerous paleo camps along the trail and artifacts abound. Colorado Jasper was a main source of flint for tools but its hardness made its best use as hammering tools for knapping and breaking up bones or butchering process.
The mining town of Jasper is south on the Alamosa River and the creek that flows thru it into the Alamosa headwaters at the Summitville gold mine so other minerals can be found in that area as well. Enjoy.


Posted by: Crusty Apr 19 2017, 10:22 AM

Sounds like a great place to live!

Posted by: nate Apr 21 2017, 02:03 PM

Beautiful stuff saguache and welcome to the forums!

Posted by: MikeS Apr 21 2017, 02:43 PM

Welcome to the forums saguache! sign0016.gif

Those are some nice chalcedony chunks. Jasper, chert and agate it appears. The piece on the right in pic #2 looks like it has more to show if cut open.

Thanks for sharing!

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