Bumble Bee Jasper Vibrancy: A Burst of Nature's Bold Palette

Bumble Bee Jasper Vibrancy: A Burst of Nature's Bold Palette

Bumble Bee Jasper is an uncommon gemstone that seamlessly combines volcanic ash, sulfur, and calcite. Originating from the blowhole that expels hot gases in a stratovolcano located in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, this mineral stands out for its distinctive layered arrangement of vibrant hues, including bright orange, black, gray, and swirls of yellow. Although it is not a real jasper, Bumble Bee Jasper is a calcium carbonate-rich mineral combination with manganese and arsenic oxide inclusions. Its characteristic bumblebee-like banding is caused by the following elements: Pyrite (black), Orpiment & Realgar (orange), Calcium & Aragonite (white), and Sulfur (yellow). This mineral, which was found in the West Java Province of Indonesia's Papandayan Volcano only in the 1990s, is still unmatched on Earth.