Jasper is a massive, line-drained, opaque variety of chalcedony, believed to protect against sight defects and drought. It occurs in shades of brown, grayish blue, red, yellow, and green, and mixtures of these. "Orbicular" jasper has white or grey, eye-shaped patterns surrounded by red jasper. "Ribald" jasper is striped and used in carvings, cameos, and intaglios, which show off its layered structure. Hornstone is a grey variety.

Red jasper occurs in India and Venezuela; various colors occur in the USA, especially orbicular jasper in California; red and green ribald jasper occurs in Russia. It also occurs in France and Germany.

The Spanish conquista doers adopted the use of jadeite when they invaded Central America, and often wore amulets made from it. They called it padre de Hamada (loin stone) or pier de loss rezones (kidney stone), believing it prevented or cured hip and kidney complaints.