One of the earliest writers to associate with the apostles the symbolism of the gems given in Revelations is by Andreas, bishop of Caesurae. He gives a brief description of the stones, which is recounted in George F. Kunz's book The Curious Lore of Precious Stones (1913).
* The Jasper, which like the emerald is of a greenish hue, signifies St. Peter. Jasper: The ancient Hebrew name was Yashpheh. Jasper has been known from early times as a fine-grained variety of quartz. It occurs in many different colors and hues, but green was particularly valued. An early variety discovered in India and still mined there today is called bloodstone. It is dark to medium green with small spots of red scattered throughout. It has been said that it originated when Christ's blood fell to the ground and was scattered on the rocks under the Cross, which is a nice story but bloodstone was used and prized in India long before Christ's birth. However, many early Christians wore it to remind them of Christ's sacrifice. *
Jasper - A variety of chalcedony that is usually striped or spotted. An opaque cryptocrystalline variety of quartz that may be red, yellow, white, green or brown. The variety of chalcedony is even greater than transparent quartz varieties because it includes cryptocrystalline quartz with patterns as well as a wide range of solid colors. Jasper has a hardness of 6.5 to 7.0.
Quartz - A very hard mineral composed of silica, SiO2, found worldwide in many different types of rocks, including sandstone and granite. Varieties of quartz include agate, chalcedony, chert, flint, opal, and rock crystal.
Jasper is a common, opaque, semi-precious stone that is found in many colors. It is found all over the world; it is often striped, speckled, and multi-colored. Jasper sometimes looks like a landscape painting and has been used for intaglio carvings. One type of Jasper - Bloodstone, is usually green with red spots. Deposits of iron oxide are responsible for the red, which does not glitter. One legend maintains that the red formed when drops of Christ's blood landed on green jasper at the foot of the cross.
Stones made of jasper have been treasured throughout history for their value as an amulet by all ancient peoples including the American Indians and one of the tribes of Israel. In ancient times it was used in seals and to ward off drought. For those who wore jasper close to their bodies, it was believed that jasper could enhance the wearer's global awareness. It also supposedly helps bring hidden thoughts, fears and hopes to surface. The stones are reported to get more personal and stronger the longer they are worn, helping us attract what we need rather than what we may want.