Jăs'per, n.

n. [O. Eng. jaspre, Fr. jaspe, diaspre, It. diaspro, Lat. iaspis, Gr. ἴασπις, Per. yashp, yashf, yashm, yashim, Ar. yasheb, yashef, Heb. yâshpheh. 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, &c. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped jasper. The Egyptian pebble is a brownish-yellow jasper. Dana.