Jeerinah Jasper: A 2.7 Billion Year Old Story in Stone

Jeerinah Jasper: A 2.7 Billion Year Old Story in Stone

Some stones are old. And then there's Jeerinah Jasper β€” a material so ancient it predates complex life on Earth by over two billion years. This extraordinary 1.4kg polished slab from the Hamersley Basin of Western Australia is not just a beautiful specimen; it's a window into the very early history of our planet.

What Is Jeerinah Jasper?

Jeerinah Jasper comes from the Jeerinah Formation, a Neoarchean geological unit from the Hamersley Basin in Western Australia, dated to approximately 2.69 to 2.63 billion years ago. This was a time before the Great Oxidation Event β€” when Earth's atmosphere was still largely devoid of free oxygen β€” and the Jeerinah Formation contains evidence of oceanic anoxia (Euxinia) and transient oxygenation events that give scientists a rare glimpse into the chemistry of the early Earth.

Remarkably, the formation also contains a significant impact spherule layer, suggesting a major extraterrestrial impact occurred during its deposition. In short, this stone has quite literally been touched by the cosmos.

Visually, Jeerinah Jasper bears a resemblance to the more well-known Marra Mamba, but with richer, deeper tones β€” more Red Jasper and less Tiger Eye β€” giving it a bold, warm presence that is entirely its own.

The Minerals Within

This slab is a beautiful interplay of three remarkable minerals:

Jasper β€” Known as the β€œsupreme nurturer,” Jasper is an opaque, silica-rich stone formed through hydrothermal action. Its name comes from the Greek iaspi, meaning β€œspotted stone.” It is said to sustain and support during times of stress, bringing tranquility, wholeness, and a reminder of our connection to one another.

Hematite β€” Named from the Greek haima, meaning blood, Hematite lends its deep iron-rich tones to the slab. One of the most powerful grounding stones in the mineral kingdom, it is said to root the body and mind back to Earth, channelling focus and strength. Ancient warriors β€” Greek, Roman, and Native American β€” used crushed Hematite as protective body paint. NASA has even found Hematite on Mars, where its presence hints at the ancient existence of water.

Tiger Eye β€” Formed when Quartz replaces bluish-grey Crocidolite, with iron staining the Quartz to produce its signature golden-brown shimmer. Historically carved into amulets by Roman soldiers, Tiger Eye is associated with patience, clear focus, compassion, and grace.

From the Hamersley Basin, Western Australia

The Hamersley Basin is one of the world's great iron ore provinces and a geological treasure trove. The Jeerinah Formation sits within this ancient landscape, and material of this quality β€” sliced, polished, and presented as a slab β€” is genuinely rare. The effort required to work with stone this old and this dense is considerable, and the results speak for themselves.

This Piece

This slab weighs 1.4kg and measures 22cm Γ— 14cm Γ— 2cm β€” a substantial, statement-worthy piece with a richly coloured polished face. It is one of a kind, and only one is available.

Whether displayed as a centrepiece, used as a meditation anchor, or simply appreciated as a piece of Earth's deep history, this is a specimen that commands attention.

View the 1.4kg Large Jeerinah Jasper Polished Slab β†’

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