• Four views of option A, which has a pattern of ovals of white and gray calcite bordered with vivid orange. The back of the piece is simply gray and white patterned. A light natural fracture is visible near the point. The piece fluoresces milky yellow-white with a few pink-red spots.
  • Close view of a heart carved from bumblebee jasper, with natural pockets in the surface. The pattern is off-white round forms bordered with yellow-orange, and more fine off-white crystals growth. The material is opaque, with some translucency in the calcite in places.
  • Six carved heart-shaped pieces of bumblebee jasper with blobby, bubbly patterns of calcite bordered with bright orange. They all have cavities on the surface, creating interesting patterns.
  • The same as the previous image, but with the top row labeled A, B ,and C, and the bottom row labeled D, E, and F. Option A has the brightest yellow-orange coloration. Option B has the most saturated orange coloration. Option C has orange-to yellow coloring. Option D has saturated yellow-orange color. Option E has good orange color, and the white is semi-translucent and appears darker. Option F has less orange orange coloration, and larger off-white calcite spots.l
  • Four views of option B, which has a pattern of large and small spots and clusters of white and gray calcite bordered with vivid orange. The back of the piece is simply gray and white patterned. The piece fluoresces a pattern of spots of yellow-white and red.
  • Four views of option C, which has a pattern of clusters of spots of white and gray calcite bordered with vivid orange. The piece has a large cavity on the upper left, lined with light orange and with a ringed spot in the middle of. The back of the piece is simply gray and white patterned. The piece fluoresces a pattern of spots of yellow-white and red and contrasts in an interesting manner with parts that remain black.
  • Four views of option D, which has a pattern of angular spots on one side and oval spots on the other, composed of white and gray calcite bordered with vivid orange and yellow-orange. The back of the piece is simply gray and white patterned. The piece fluoresces a pattern of spots of yellow-white, with some red.
  • Four views of option E, which has a angular patterning on the left side, and round spots on the right. This pattern of white and gray calcite is bordered with vivid orange. The back of the piece is mostly gray and white patterned, with some orange patterning near the tip. The piece fluoresces a pattern of spots of yellow-white and red, with a border ringing the spots a bit yellow and red tinted.
  • Four views of option F, which is more light white and gray calcite than the other pieces. Large round forms of white and gray calcite are borders with light orange. The back of the piece is simply gray and white patterned, with darker gray spotting on the left. The piece fluoresces a pattern of yellow-white spots with a border multicolored with yellow and red tint. There are some red spots.
  • All six pieces on a measuring mat, labeled A through C on the top row and D through F on the bottom row. The pieces are all the same dimensions, about two inches square but flat.
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Bumblebee jasper semi-polished heart

Bumblebee jasper semi-polished heart

$21.00 USD
$21.00 USD
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Locale: Mount Ciremai volcano, West Java, Indonesia
Approx dimensions: 2 x 2 x <1/2", carved and polished
Approx weight: 40–50g (natural variations in material)
Cover image is option D

**CAUTION: toxic (see details)

 

A way to express your toxic love with bumblebee jasper hearts!

Bumblebee jasper is not a true jasper; jasper is silica-based, a close relative of chalcedony and quartz. Bumblebee jasper is actually composed of light-colored calcite (a calcium carbonate-based mineral), and can show fibrous radial patterns. The calcite contrasts beautifully with dark veining caused by pyrite, and yellow and orange coloration caused by realgar.

Realgar contains arsenic, so the same thing that produces this striking coloration also makes the material toxic. Bumblebee jasper is the most dangerous during cutting and polishing; it is perfectly safe to have around as part of your collection, but it's recommended to wash your hands after handling. Bumblebee jasper is not a great choice for a pocket rock, or for kids. Best as a display piece or a gift for goth girlfriends.

**I probably don't need to tell you this, but do not lick it or put it in your mouth! In the event you break your piece, avoid touching or inhaling any of the dust released** 

UV REACTIVITY the calcite base of bumblebee jasper fluoresces white to red under 365nm UV light. Portions that fluoresce red also have very brief phosphorescence.

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