Bumblebee Jasper is not actually a jasper! Unfortunately this is the trade name the mine chose for it, so we don't have a better name. Names like "Bumble Bee Stone" are often used by immitation stones. Authentic bumblebee Jasper is actually fibrous calcite growing in bands or layers of sulfuric yellow or Kraft Dinner yellow-orange and dark grey or near-black. It is common to also find a little bit of off-white or beige in the layers as well. True Bumblebee Jasper can only be sourced from a specific mine in Indonesia.
Our specimen is raw, unpolished, and is kept in plastic casing for the safety of both the brittle stone and its potential owner. Bumblebee Jasper gets its colours from inclusions of sulfur and arsenic, making it toxic to touch. It can also sometimes off-gas small amounts of arsenic, especially when freshly cut or exposed to moisture or UV light. The plastic case we have placed it in is not perfectly air-tight, so we advise keeping it in a ventilated room away from moisture or sunlight. If you chose to open the case and touch it, please thoroughly wash your hands when you're done. Some people will tell you that polished versions of this stone are safe, but this is not true. Polishing is simply sanding a stone smooth and does nothing to change its mineral composition.
Why might you want such a dangerous mineral? It actually has very little threat to health as long as it is treated with precaution, and it is a beautiful specimen which functions as a treatment to the wonders of nature. It is rare, as it is found in only one place in the world. It is thought to help increase energy and mental fortitude.
This specimen is kept at our booth at the 400 Market in Innisfil, Ontario, which is only open on weekends. This may cause a small delay in shipping online orders. All of our prices are inclusive of any applicable sales tax within Canada and Ontario.
