Ocean Jasper Specimen — Orbicular Patterns, Madagascar Single-Source, 315g — Field Find

THE FIND
An ocean jasper specimen, 315g — swirling patterns, orb-like inclusions, and a soothing earth-and-sea color palette. One of the most visually distinctive jaspers in the mineral world, and one of the few with a confirmed, single known source locality.

WHAT WE KNOW
Ocean jasper (also called orbicular jasper) is a variety of spherulitic chalcedony found exclusively along the northwest coast of Madagascar, near the village of Marovato in the Ambolobozo Peninsula. The orb-like circular patterns are spherulites — radially crystallized silica structures that form during the rapid cooling of silica-rich volcanic material, producing concentric rings of chalcedony around a central nucleation point. The color palette (greens, creams, pinks, whites, grays, and yellows) reflects varying mineral impurities in the silica at the time of formation. The deposit is accessible only by boat at low tide, and the original commercial deposit is largely exhausted — making genuine ocean jasper increasingly scarce. This specimen weighs 315g. Locality attributed to Madagascar based on material identification.

THE STORY
Ocean jasper was “rediscovered” commercially in 1999 by Paul Obeniche on the Malagasy coast — the deposit had been noted in mineralogical literature but wasn’t commercially mined until that point. The primary deposit at Marovato was largely mined out by the early 2010s; subsequent smaller deposits have been found nearby but produce different material. The combination of single-source locality, distinctive orbicular pattern, and commercial scarcity makes ocean jasper one of the more collectible trade jaspers on the market. At 315g this specimen has significant display presence.

WHY WE CHOSE IT
The orbicular patterning is clearly visible and the color range appears strong across the surface. At 315g it has real shelf presence. A strong piece for a jasper collection or any display that values geological story and visual distinctiveness over conventional crystal aesthetics.

ABOUT THIS PIECE
Type: Ocean jasper specimen (orbicular chalcedony, spherulitic jasper)
Origin: Northwest Madagascar (Marovato, Ambolobozo Peninsula) — attributed based on material identification
Weight: 315g
Condition: Natural specimen — please review photographs for orbicular pattern, color, and natural variation.
Quantity: 1 — one of a kind.