Polychrome Jasper: Grading & Localities
Also known as Desert Jasper — an opaque chalcedony (SiO2) loved for painterly color fields, clean “map lines,” and cabochon‑friendly toughness.
Fresh collection names (to reduce repetition): Sunrise Caravan, Ironveil Panorama, Terracotta Mirage, Sea‑Mist Mesa, Driftwood Delta, Sage Dune, Ember Ribbon, Nimbus Shore, Clay Horizon, River‑Atlas.
💡 Grading Overview — what “quality” means here
There’s no global AAA/AA standard for decorative jaspers. So we grade polychrome by what matters in hand and on camera: palette harmony, pattern composition, contrast & edge quality, structural integrity, and finish. If a piece tells a clean visual story and polishes evenly, it earns higher marks regardless of letter labels used elsewhere.
🎨 Visual Archetypes (useful for sorting & naming)
Sunrise Caravan
Broad creams → peaches → terracotta; soft blends, minimal “lines.” Calming, wardrobe‑friendly.
River‑Atlas
Hairline “coastlines” separating color blocks; cartographic elegance, clean edges.
Terracotta Mirage
High‑warmth panels (brick/ochre) with muted grays — dramatic thumbnails.
Sea‑Mist Mesa
Cream & teal veils; cool‑neutral vibe, great for silver settings.
Canyon Mosaic
Brecciated “stained‑glass” panels re‑cemented by contrasting silica; inspect for voids.
Use archetypes as tags in filters; customers love browsing by “scene.”
📋 Scorecard — the criteria we apply consistently
| Criterion | Excellent | Acceptable | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palette harmony | 3–5 hues with pleasing transitions; skin‑tone friendly | 2–3 hues; one abrupt shift | Muddy mixes; clashing tones |
| Pattern composition | Clear “scene” or flow; intentional cropping | Readable but busy; okay crop | Confused layout; best area cut off |
| Contrast / edge quality | Crisp “map lines” or silky blends (not both muddled) | Mixed edges; still coherent | Hazy, blotchy boundaries |
| Structural integrity | Tight seams; minimal pits; no active cracks | Few pinholes; stable healed seams | Open voids; undercutting; needs stabilization |
| Finish | Even vitreous polish; no orange‑peel | Good polish with small flats | Uneven; drag marks; pits visible |
| Disclosure | Natural color; treatments (if any) stated | Minor fill disclosed | Undisclosed dye/fill |
🏷️ Grade Tiers — clear language + creative labels
Premier — Ironveil Panorama
Flagship scenes, superb contrast or blends, no structural issues, immaculate polish. Ideal for hero photos & statement jewelry.
Select — River‑Atlas
Clean hairline boundaries; balanced composition; strong but wearable look. Excellent for pendants and matched pairs.
Gallery — Terracotta Mirage
High‑warmth drama with stable seams; small pits allowed if disclosed. Great desk pieces and large cabs.
Classic — Sunrise Caravan
Softer blends and pleasant palettes; solid structure; even polish. Everyday jewelry & palms.
Studio — Canyon Mosaic
Breccia drama with possible voids/undercut; may need stabilization. Excellent for bold freeforms & art projects.
🗺️ Localities & Provenance — how vendors label polychrome
“Polychrome jasper” names a look (multicolor chalcedony with broad fields and/or map‑lines) rather than a single deposit. The best‑known modern commercial supply is Madagascar, but similar aesthetics occur in other countries; some sellers use locality names instead of “polychrome.” We tag both look and location where known.
| Region | Typical Forms & Looks | Notes (how it’s sold) |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar | Boulders/nodules; creams/peaches/ochres with gray‑blue & sage accents; frequent clean “coastlines.” | Commonly labeled “Polychrome/Desert Jasper (Madagascar).” Excellent for palms, spheres, freeforms. |
| Brazil | Wide palette range; includes blended fields and breccia mosaics. | Often sold under regional jasper names; may be described as “polychrome style.” |
| India | Warm creams/reds with occasional green veils; strong polish. | Marketed as multicolor jasper with locality; look overlaps “Sunrise Caravan.” |
| USA & Australia | Several districts yield multicolor chalcedonies; some with horizon stacks or map lines. | Typically sold by the specific locality brand; “polychrome” used descriptively. |
🛒 Buyer’s Guide — match the look to the job
- Statement pendants: Choose River‑Atlas or Terracotta Mirage with crisp edges; rectangular or skyline cuts read like mini‑landscapes.
- Daily jewelry: Sunrise Caravan blends flatter skin tones and outfits; round/oval domes emphasize calm gradients.
- Decor: Ironveil Panorama spheres/freeforms pop in neutral rooms; add side‑light at ~30°.
- Carving & freeforms: Canyon Mosaic is dramatic—inspect seams and stabilize micro‑voids before shaping.
Quick Red Flags
- Unnaturally uniform neon tones → possible dye.
- Color pooling in fractures → dye uptake along cracks.
- Sticky‑gloss surface or plastic odor → heavy resin coat.
- No locality info, no edge/back photos → ask for more details.
Buyer Checklist
- Palette suits your setting metal/wardrobe.
- Edges/backs shown; pits/voids disclosed.
- Orientation complements the pattern flow.
- Locality tagged (or clearly stated “style only”).
🤝 Treatments & Ethics — what we disclose
- Color: Natural iron/clay pigments are standard; we flag suspected dyes.
- Stabilization: Some breccia/porous pieces are resin‑stabilized for durability; we state it on the listing.
- Letter grades: A/AA/AAA are not universal. We use descriptive tiers + photos so you can self‑grade.
- Sourcing: We favor documented supply chains and fair labor; ask us for vendor notes anytime.
🧼 Care & Photography
- Durability: Quartz aggregate (Mohs ~6.5–7); no cleavage; tough. Avoid sharp impacts on corners.
- Cleaning: Soft brush + mild soap; rinse & dry. Avoid harsh acids and abrasive pads.
- Storage: Separate from other quartz/corundum to prevent mutual scratches.
- Photo tips: Daylight‑balanced LEDs (~5000–5600K); mid‑gray backgrounds keep creams neutral; a CPL filter tames glare on glossy cabs.
Friendly wink: it’s low‑maintenance — just don’t let it share a pocket with your keys.
🔖 Acquisition Blessing — “Palette to Path” (rhymed chant)
Setup
- Name the piece (e.g., “River‑Atlas, Madagascar”).
- Hold it under soft light; breathe in 4 • hold 2 • out 6.
- Trace one line you love with a fingertip.
Chant
Colors gather, edges sing,
Map my steps in everything;
Jasper scene and steady art—
Guide my hand to choose and start.
Seal it by writing one tiny next action on a card. Then actually do it. (The bravest magic.)