Red flecks scattered across deep green jasper. The red is iron oxide—iron from within the earth, oxidised and absorbed into the stone.

Medieval Europe called it the ""martyr's stone."" Legend held that blood falling from the cross during the crucifixion stained the jasper beneath. Churches used it to adorn chalices and crosses.

The Romans, however, carved it into seals. The contrast of red and green produced a sharp impression—a practical choice. Legend and function. The same stone, chosen across centuries for entirely different reasons.