sedimentary/mineral
Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with dark mottling; Luster: Dull or waxy; Crystal structure: Microcrystalline/Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Reddish-brown with dark mottling
- Luster
- Dull or waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with dark mottling; Luster: Dull or waxy; Crystal structure: Microcrystalline/Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the deposition of silica from water or hydrothermal fluids into sediments or volcanic rocks, often during the late stages of volcanic activity.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a gemstone for jewelry, lapidary arts, decorative ornaments, and as a collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Jasper has been used as a gemstone since antiquity and is mentioned in many historical texts; it is often referred to as a bloodstone when it contains red inclusions of iron oxide.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it can scratch glass), opaque nature, and typical smooth, waxy surface when tumbled. Frequently found in riverbeds or volcanic regions.
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