Jas"per (?), n. [OE. jaspre,
jaspe, OF. jaspre, jaspe, F. jaspe, L.
iaspis, Gr. ?; cf. Per. yashp, yashf, Ar.
yashb, yasb, yasf, Heb. yāshpheh.
Cf. Diaper.] (Min.) An opaque, impure variety of
quartz, of red, yellow, and other dull colors, breaking with a smooth
surface. It admits of a high polish, and is used for vases, seals,
snuff boxes, etc. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is
called striped or banded jasper. The Egyptian pebble is a
brownish yellow jasper.
Jasper opal, a yellow variety of opal
resembling jasper. -- Jasper ware, a
delicate kind of earthenware invented by Josiah Wedgwood. It is
usually white, but is capable of receiving color.